The development of tibiofemoral angle in children has shown ethnic
variations. However this data is unavailable for our population. 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.Objectives
Methods
This study was designed to provide normal reference values for the centre-edge angle of Wiberg in the Chinese population by measuring 1494 radiographs according to the criteria of Tönnis. The mean angle was 23.1° (4.7° to 46.4°) in childhood (four to nine years), increasing to 28.9° (6° to 48°) in adolescence (10 to 18 years) and reaching 32.8° (13.7° to 58.8°) in adults. The angle was positively correlated with age, increasing by a mean of 0.78° annually before adulthood and by 0.070° annually in adults. A relative upward tendency after middle age might contribute to degenerative changes. No gender difference was discovered. The change in the angle with age was similar to that observed in other ethnic groups, showing moderate differences in the average of individual age groups, but the ethnic differences are not sufficient to explain the variation of incidence of developmental dysplasia of the hip in different races.
The purpose of this study was to determine the annual incidence of Perthes’ disease in Korea and compare this with other populations. A survey identified all newly diagnosed children with Perthes’ disease aged 14 years or younger in South Honam, Korea, between January 1999 and December 2001. A total of 84 children were included: 29 in 1999, 28 in 2000 and 27 in 2001. The mean annual incidence was 3.8 per 100 000. This is similar to that reported in other Asian countries, but higher than in black populations and lower than in Caucasians.
