Association between Q angle and predisposition to gonarthrosis*

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between quadriceps angle (Q angle), body mass index (BMI), dominant side and pain severity in gonarthrosis patients.

Methods: In order to determine the Q angle in gonarthrosis patients, 205 volunteer patients (104 men and 101 women) diagnosed with gonarthrosis and 110 control subjects (60 men and 50 women) over 40 years of age were included. In the patient group, sides with pain, pain levels, right and left leg Q angle values, and dominant sides were evaluated.

Results: Right Q angle value was found 13.21°±3.22° in patients and 13.26°±2.04° in controls, while the left Q values were 12.86°±3.35° and 12.65°±2.52° in patients and controls, respectively. No significant difference was found between the right and left Q angles both for patients (p=0.885) and controls (p=0.568). When the pain levels and right Q angles of the patients were compared, a positive correlation between the Q angle elevation and increase in pain was found (p=0.001). In addition, the pain level increase and left Q angle elevation of the patients were also found positively correlated (p=0.004).

Conclusion: The results of this study show that measuring the Q angle, despite its low sensitivity and internal consistency levels, is an effective way of diagnosing and treating the lower extremity malalignments and related pathologies.

Keywords

• dominant side
• gonarthrosis
• pain severity
• Q angle

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