How is Q angle calculated?
Draw a line from ASIS to the midpoint of patella and then from the midpoint of the patella to the tibial tubercle. The resultant angle formed by the crossing of these two lines is called the Q angle.
What is Q angle value?
The literature of the documented values of Q angle by various researchers vary. It is well-known that the normal Q angle should fall between 12 and 20 degrees; the males are usually at the low end of this range; while females tend to have higher measurements [6,10–13].
What is the normal Q angle for both male and female patients?
Normal Q-angle measurements are 14 to 16 degrees and 16 to 18 degrees for males and females, respectively.
What is normal patellar tracking?
This measurement is the ratio of the patellar tendon length compared to the patellar height with the knee bent to around 30 degrees. A ratio of around 1.0 is considered normal. A ratio less than 0.80 is indicative of an inferior patella or “patellar baja” that may be due to a shortened patellar tendon.
How does high Q angle cause knee pain?
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.
How do you fix a high Q angle?
The most effective way to decrease a high Q angle and to lower the biomechanical stresses on the knee joint is to prevent excessive pronation with custom-made functional orthotics. One study found that using soft corrective orthotics was more effective in reducing knee pain than was a traditional exercise program.
Can I run with patellar tracking disorder?
If you have or suspect you have patella tracking disorder, you should avoid activities that make the pain worse or put too much load through the knee such as running or jumping. As well as making your pain worse this can make the problem worse and it will take longer to treat.
Can you fix Q angle?
For starters, men and women have different Q-Angles just because of the nature of the different anatomy. Women tend to have a wider pelvis than men, resulting in a greater Q-Angle. Since this is a fixed anatomic difference, this cannot be changed.
What does an increased Q angle cause?
Oftentimes people with an increased Q-Angle or chondromalacia/Patellofemoral Syndrome have dysfunction of the gluteus medius, and this allows the knee to rotate inward, causing the patella to track laterally.
How do I fix my patella tracking problem?
Most patellar tracking problems can be treated effectively without surgery. Non-surgical treatment may include rest, regular stretching and strengthening exercises, taping or bracing the knee, using ice, and short-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
How long does patellar tracking take to heal?
Most people feel better after a few months of treatment. As a rule, the longer you have had this problem, the longer it will take to get better. Treatment of patellar tracking disorder has two goals: to reduce your pain and to strengthen the muscles around your kneecap to help it stay in place.
What is the Q angle and how is It measured?
When it comes to PFPS you will often hear talk of the Q angle. As shown in the diagram below. This angle is measured by taking a line from the top edge of the hips (a bony prominence called the anterior superior iliac spine) and connecting it to the centre of the kneecap.
What is the normal Q angle for a female?
Normal Q-angle measurements are 14 to 16 degrees and 16 to 18 degrees for males and females, respectively. Femoral neck anteversion and external tibial torsion increase the Q-angle. Femoral neck retroversion and internal tibial torsion decrease the Q-angle.
What is the normal Q angle of the knee?
In men, the Q angle should be less than 18 degrees with the knee in extension and less than 8 degrees with the knee in 90 degrees of flexion. A typical Q angle is 12 degrees for men and 17 degrees for women.
What is the quadriceps or Q angle?
The quadriceps or Q angle describes the vector of pull exerted by the quadriceps muscles on the patella. The components of the quadriceps complex attach at the anterior superior and anterior inferior iliac spines (ASIS and AIIS) of the pelvis and converge to form the patellar tendon.