Comparison of the quadriceps angle at different heel height in normal woman

Abstract

Nowadays there are many patients who have suffered from knee pain. The pain may come from several causes. One of the causes may be due to the gradual changes of knee structures from poor posture in daily living. This leads to deviation of lower extremities from normal knee alignment which increases stress on the joints, tendons and muscles. Joint degeneration and knee pain may be developed as a result. Most women like to wear high-heeled shoes which may lead to the change in quadriceps angle (Q-angle) and knee pain. Physical therapists usually give an advice to their patients to avoid wearing high-heeled shoes to reduce knee pain.  However, effect of heel height on Q-angle is not known. Therefore, this study aimed to compare Q-angle at different heel heights in normal woman. An experimental research was conducted in 54 women with mean age of 38.66 ± 11.38 years. The Q-angle was measured at different heel heights in an upright standing position where the 3 X 3 Latin Square method was used for random allocation. The result of this study found that there were statistical significant differences in Q-angle among the three different heel heights (P < 0.001) including 0-, 1.5- and 3-inches. This study has shown that the Q-angle increased when the heel height was increased.