What is Q angle and how does it affect patellar tracking?
What is Q angle and how does it affect patellar tracking?
The Q angle formed by the vector for the combined pull of the quadriceps femoris muscle and the patellar tendon, is important because of the lateral pull it exerts on the patella. Any alteration in alignment that increases the Q angle is thought to increase the lateral force on the patella.
What happens to Q angle in genu Valgum?
In general patients with Q angles greater than 14° are vulnerable to patellar conditions, particularly abnormal tracking and instability. The Q angle can be functionally increased in genu varum, genu recurvatum and over-pronation of the subtalar joint.
What does the Q angle represent?
The Q angle, which is also known as quadriceps angle, is defined as the angle formed between the quadriceps muscles and the patella tendon.
What is the Q angle of knee?
The Q-angle of the knee provides useful information about the alignment of the knee joint. The Q-angle is the angle between the quadriceps tendon and the patellar tendon. An increased Q-angle is a risk factor for patellar subluxation. The Q-angle (quadriceps angle) is formed in the frontal plane by two line segments.
What is the valgus angle?
The knee valgus angle was defined as the angle enclosed by the distal femoral anatomical axis (line AB) and the femoral mechanical axis (line AC). Significant positive correlations were found between the knee valgus angles of the right and left sides and between the knee valgus angle and age.
What causes varus?
Varus knee is common in newborns. In older children and adults, the condition is usually caused by improper bone formation due to rickets, cancer, or arthritis. Certain professions can increase one’s risk of developing varus knee. Various exercises can help reduce the pain caused by this condition.
What does a high Q angle mean?
mal-tracking of
A high Q angle means mal-tracking of the patella is likely. As a result it does not travel over the front of the knee joint as it should. Over time this causes microtrauma to the cartilage on the rear of the patella.
What causes varus and valgus?
The opposite deformation, where the twist or angulation is directed medially, toward the center of the body, is called varus. Common causes of valgus knee (genu valgum or “knock-knee”) in adults include arthritis of the knee and traumatic injuries.
What is varus position?
Varus knee is a condition that’s commonly referred to as genu varum. It’s what causes some people to be bowlegged. It happens when your tibia, the larger bone in your shin, turns inward instead of aligning with your femur, the large bone in your thigh. This causes your knees to turn outward.
What is abnormal Q angle?
A high Q angle interferes with the smooth movement of the patella in the femoral groove. Over time, and especially with sports activities and/or stair-climbing, this microtrauma causes a non-specific anterior knee pain. Patellofemoral pain syndrome develops when abnormal tracking continues, and causes muscle imbalance.
What is the Q-angle of a varus knee?
In a varus knee the Q-angle will likely decrease, as the center of the shin and patella may be further lateral relative to the front of the hip. The large quadriceps muscle will exert more of a vertical pull on the patella in this alignment than they would in a normal alignment, which is slightly valgus.
What is the difference between Varus and valgus knee?
Varus knee is also sometimes referred to as knee adduction, referring to the foot and lower leg moving closer to the midline than the knee. Picture a classic cowboy stance, and that’s varus. In valgus knee, also known as genu valgum, the opposite is seen. The knees angle in towards one another, and likely touch in a standing position.
What is the normal history of valgus deformity?
NATURAL HISTORY. This valgus deformity is maximal at around age 3–4 years with an average lateral tibiofemoral angle of 12 degrees [11]. Finally the genu valgum spontaneously correct by the age of 7 years to that of the adult alignment of the lower limbs of 8 degrees of valgus in the female and 7 degrees in the male.
What are the best orthotics for Varus?
Orthotics that have been used in treatment of knee varus include laterally wedged foot orthotics as well as ‘valgus unloader’ knee braces, which may be used in conjunction with each other. Valgus unloader braces are often used for the management of medial knee arthritis, frequently associated with varus knee alignment.
