Abstract

SERRANO, Rafael Fernando et al. 3- to 10-year-old schoolchildren's angular and rotational lower limb development: a study of two different populations. rev.fac.med. [online]. 2012, vol.60, n.3, pp.199-206. ISSN 0120-0011.

Background. Rotational and angular alterations are frequently the cause of children's orthopaedic consultation. The lower limbs' alignment is a dynamic process; it varies with age, becoming similar to that of an adult when a child is around 10 years of age. However, alterations involving femoral anteversion (leaning forward/), increased internal (foot pointing inwards) or external tibial torsion (pointing outwards), genu varum (bow legs) and genu valgum (knock knees) persist. Objective. Ascertaining values regarding lower limb rotational and angular development in two socio-culturally different populations in Colombia. Materials and Methods. This cross-sectional study involved children aged 3 to 10-years-old from schools in Bogotá and Barranquilla. Femoral anteversion, knee, thigh-foot and walking angles were clinically measured by two evaluators, as were intermalleolar and intercondylar distances. 90% of the central values were selected as an approximation to the reference range for this population. Results. A -5° to 8° walking angle and 0° to 15° thigh-foot angle were found. The average intermalleolar distance was 2 cm and knee angle was 8°; no relationship was found between genu valgum and gender or nutritional state. Femoral anteversion became reduced with age; it was 20° from 3 to 7 years and 15° in children aged older than 8 years. The hip's internal rotation was 60° on average and 45° for external rotation. Higher measurement values were observed in Barranquilla than in Bogotá. Discussion. It was found that the knee's valgum angle, femoral anteversion and intermalleolar distance became reduced with age, appreciating that an age limit of 8 years was very similar to that for adults. The study suggested several differences between both populations studied here.

Keywords : Lower extremity abnormalities; genuvarus; genu valgus; legs; school.

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