[Measurement of the carrying angle of the elbow in 2,000 children at ages six and fourteen years].
OBJECTIVE
It is important to know the carrying angles of both elbows in the evaluation of deformities which may be seen after treatment of distal humerus fractures. This study was performed to determine the basal values of the carrying angle in specific age groups.


METHODS
The carrying angles of both elbows were measured with the use of a goniometry in 2000 students of randomly selected primary schools in Sivas and its nearby districts. Measurements were performed in those who completed the ages of six (500 girls, 500 boys) and 14 (500 girls, 500 boys) years, with the elbow in full extension and forearm in supination. The mean carrying angles of dominant and non-dominant elbows were analyzed in eight groups.


RESULTS
The mean angles measured from dominant arms were significantly greater than those of the contralateral side in both sexes and age groups (p<0.05). The mean angles of both elbows were greater in girls than those of the corresponding elbows in boys at six years of age, while vice versa was the case at 14 years of age; however, these differences did not reach significance (p>0.05). Finally, both boys and girls at 14 years of age had significantly greater angles in dominant and non-dominant elbows compared to corresponding sex and elbow side in six-year groups (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results are consistent with the literature data showing that the carrying angle increases with age and that it is always greater on the dominant side.
Tükenmez
Mehmet
M
Cumhuriyet Universitesi Tip Fakültesi, Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji Anabilim Dali, Sivas. mtukenmez@cumhuriyet.edu.tr
Demirel
Hüseyin
H
Perçin
Sitki
S
Tezeren
Gündüz
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry; D002648:Child; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values