A Study to Find Out Relationship Between Q-Angle, Tibial Torsion and Leg-Heel Alignment amongst Osteoarthritis Knee Patients – A Cross Sectional Observational Study

Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most frequent cause of disability in the India, with the medial

compartment of the knee being most commonly affected. Osteoarthritis of knee joint is common

musculoskeletal problem now days in Indian population. It is most disabling in day to day activities of life.

Purpose: Due to Osteoarthritis of knee joint, multiple changes occur in structure in and around knee joint.

Due to these structural changes, biomechanics of knee joint is altered, which in turn leads to secondary

changes in muscles, ligaments and other soft tissues also. So, energy cost of walking increases.

Objective: Objective of this study is to correlate Q angle, tibial torsion and leg heel alignment in OA knee

patients.

Setting: Different physiotherapy centres of Surat city

Method: Co relational study was done in Surat city. Selection of OA knee patients was done as per selection

criteria. Subjects were explained about the study. Informed consent forms were signed by the patient and/or

relatives. Subjects selected by purposive sampling were assessed.

Participants: Total 63 male and female OA knee patients

Outcome measure: Q angle, Tibial torsion & Leg heel alignment

Results: Data were entered in Microsoft Excel for Microsoft Windows. Descriptive analysis and corelational

test was applied by SPSS version 20 for Microsoft Windows. Moderate positive correlation was found

between Q angle & Tibial torsion, between Tibial Torsion & Leg heel alignment, between Leg heel alignment

& Q angle.

Conclusion: These findings may suggest that Q angle, Tibial torsion & Leg heel alignment are moderate

positively correlated in OA knee joint. So any change in any of above three values may alter values of other

remaining values.