The correlation between Q-angle (clinical) and TTTGdistance (axial computed thomography) in Firuzgar Hospital, 2008

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the significance of the Q angle with respect to the patella position. We assess the correlation between the Q angles (calculated by clinical exam) in different positions and CT indices (with more impression on TTTG).

Atotal number of 68 knee joints of 50 cases entered the study. Clinical examination was used to measure Q angle (in 3 positions of sitting, standing and supine). CT scan performed in 2 axial view of proximal tibia, and distal femor for measurement of Tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove distance (TTTG) and other CT indices. Correlation between main variables calculated.and analysed with spss.

Supine Q angle were strongly correlated with standing Q angles and moderately with sitting Q angle. Sitting Q angle was moderately correlated with supine and standing Q angle and weakly with PTA. we found no other significant correlation between Q angle and CT indexes.

Our findings suggest that Q angle is not a valuable index for predicting the presence of patelofemoral malalignment.