A comparative study of carrying angle among males and females in Garhwal region of Uttarakhand

Niyati Airan¹, Anil Kumar Dwivedi^2*

¹Demonstrator,²Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Government Institute of Medical Science and Research, Srinagar Garhwal-246178., Uttarakhand, INDIA.

Email: niyatiairan@gmail.com, dranildwivedi2009@gmail.com

Abstract               Background: When the upper extremity is in anatomical position, the long axis of humerus and the long axis of ulna form an acute angle medially at the elbow which is called the Carrying angle. It is generally greater in females than in males and ranges from 2°-21° in males and 2°-26° in females. Racial and regional influences add further to its variability. Thus, knowledge of Carrying angle is useful for Forensic experts and Anthropologists during prediction of sex and race of an individual, for Orthopaedicians during management of various elbow disorders and for Biomechanical engineers for preparing elbow replacement implants. So this study was conducted to compare the values of Carrying angle in males with those of females. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 400 healthy individuals of both sexes of age group 18–40 years belonging to Garhwal region of Uttarakhand using Goniometer and the data was analysed statistically. Results: The mean right Carrying angle was found to be 8.71°±2.54° in males and 12.31°±2.53° in females. The mean left Carrying angle was found to be 8.06°±2.77° in males and 11.76°±2.73° in females. Mean right Carrying angle and mean left Carrying angle were found to be greater in females than in males and differences were statistically highly significant (p<0.01). Conclusion: The Carrying angle is significantly greater in females as compared to males and the difference has been considered to be a secondary sexual characteristic.

Key Words: Carrying angle, Cubitus valgus, Elbow, Goniometer.