Representative values for lower extremity alignment measures in females.

Introduction: Lower extremity alignment has been assumed as a potential risk factor for acute and chronic lower extremity injuries such as patellofemoral syndrome, anterior cruciate ligament injuries, medial tibial stress syndrome, stress fractures, and plantar fascitis. Since, one anatomical alignment has interdependence with the other; this study focuses on finding the relationship with each of the five lower limb alignments. The measurements that would be included in this study would be that of the hip, knee and the ankle i.e Femoral anteversion, Quadriceps angle, Genu Recurvatum, Tibiofemoral angle and Navicular Drop. Additionally, since former researchers have noted sex variance of Quadriceps angle, this study is being conducted on females who have greater Quadriceps angle than male and are a greater risk of Lower Limb injuries than male. Methods: The study was conducted among 25 participants within Manipal University, Udupi after obtaining ethical clearance from the Institutional Review Board. Preceding the study, the subjects signed the consent form and measurements of the parameters mentioned above were taken according to standard methods. Results: Once all lower limb alignments and their interdependence were statistically analyzed, it was noted that the tibiofemoral angle, femoral anteversion and genu recurvetum were the most significant predictors to alter the magnitude of Quadriceps angle in females. (p<0.001).