Objectives. The development of tibiofemoral angle in children has shown ethnic
variations. However this data is unavailable for our population. Methods. We measured the tibiofemoral angle (TFA) and intercondylar and
intermalleolar distances in 360 children aged between two and 18
years, dividing them into six interrupted age group intervals: two
to three years; five to six years; eight to nine years; 11 to 12
years; 14 to 15Â years; and 17 to 18 years. Each age group comprised
30 boys and 30 girls. Other variables recorded included standing
height, sitting height, weight, thigh length, leg length and length
of the lower limb. Results. Children aged two to three years had a valgus angulation with
a mean TFA of 1.8° (. sd. 0.65) in boys and 2.45° (. sd. 0.87)
in girls. Peak valgus was seen in the five- to six-year age group,
with mean TFAs of 6.7° (. sd. 1.3) and 7.25° (. sd. 0.64)
for boys and girls, respectively. From this age the values gradually
declined to a mean of 3.18° (. sd. 1.74) and 4.43° (. sd. 0.68)
for boys and girls, respectively, at 17 to 18 years. Girls showed
a higher valgus angulation than boys at all age groups. Conclusion. This study defines the normal range of the TFA in south Indian
boys and girls using an easy and reliable technique of measurement
with a standardised custom-made goniometer. Cite this article:
Symptoms of obstetric brachial plexus injury (OBPI) vary widely
over the course of time and from individual to individual and can
include various degrees of denervation, muscle weakness, contractures,
bone deformities and functional limitations. To date, no universally
accepted overall framework is available to assess the outcome of patients
with OBPI. The objective of this paper is to outline the proposed
process for the development of International Classification of Functioning,
Disability and Health (ICF) Core Sets for patients with an OBPI. The first step is to conduct four preparatory studies to identify
ICF categories important for OBPI: a) a systematic literature review
to identify outcome measures, b) a qualitative study using focus
groups, c) an expert survey and d) a cross-sectional, multicentre
study. A first version of ICF Core Sets will be defined at a consensus
conference, which will integrate the evidence from the preparatory
studies. In a second step, field-testing among patients will validate this
first version of Core Sets for OBPI.Background
Methods