Evaluation of the normal calcaneal angles in Egyptian population

ABSTRACT

The calcaneus is the largest and strongest tarsal bone. It is the most commonly fractured tarsal bone and accounts for about 2% of all fractures. The importance of the calcaneal angles in assessing the fractures of calcaneus and planning treatment has been highlighted. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the normal calcaneal angles in the Egyptian populations who live in Alexandria and nearby governorates and compare their values to the published data. Lateral plain radiographs of 220 normal feet and ankles of 103 males and 97 females with age ranged from 20 to 40 years, were studied retrospectively at El Hadra University Hospital, Alexandria, Arabrepublic of Egypt between June and December 2010. Three of the normal calcaneal angles [Bohler angle-Gissane's angle-calcaneal compression angle] were measured and the mean and standard deviation of each angle were calculated. The relationships between each angle and age, sex, side of the body, occupation, weight, height, and residence of examined persons was tested and compared to previous researches and international figures. The mean of Bohler angle in the Egyptian population was 30.14 +/- 4.182 ranged from 22° to 40°. The mean of Gissane's angle was 122.92 +/- 6.952 ranged from 108° to 138°, while the mean of calcaneal compression angle was 31.03 +/- 3.82 ranged from 24° to 44°. The measured calcaneal angles are not significantly related to age, sex, and side of the body, residence and occupation of the examined persons except there is significant negative correlation between the Bohler angle and the age which not reported in the previous researches and studies. The study showed that difference in the mean of the calcaneal angles from other previous studies that reinforce the importance of establishing the normal range of the calcaneal angles in a given population