Clinical evaluation of hip joint in sagittal plane using pelvifemoral angle.

BACKGROUND: Pelvifemoral angle has been described in early literature but the values have not been validated and no mention of distal bony point has been made.

METHODS: Patients attending the Orthopaedic Outpatient in our hospital with complaints not related to the hip or knee were included in this study. Exclusion criteria included patients with history of hip pathology (Unilateral or Bilateral) and patients with Pelvis or Lower Limb fractures (Unilateral or Bilateral. Measurements were taken using a measuring tape, and angles were measured using a Goniometer Authors describe two clinical measurements of the hip joint in sagittal plane using Nelaton's line as reference for pelvis and line joining greater trochanter to 1. Superolateral pole of patella (α angle) and 2. Fibular head (β angle). Three hundred normal hips of 150 individuals were included in this study and angles were measured in supine and standing position.

RESULTS: Mean values of these angles (in supine and standing) were 67 ± 1° (α angle) and 51 ± 1° (β angle) in males and 72 ± 2° (α angle) and 58 ± 2° (β angle) in females. These angles are independent of age, height, weight and hence, the body mass index of a person.

CONCLUSION: Authors are describing a simple yet accurate method of quantifying the clinical pelvifemoral angle which will reflect upon the fixed flexion deformity at the hip in unilateral/bilateral pathological hip cases where other conventional methods are either unreliable or painful to perform.