THE ROTATIONAL PROFILE OF THE LOWER EXTREMITIES OF NIGERIAN CHILDREN

Lower extremity rotational problems are common findings in children worldwide. The approach to treatment of such problems requires knowledge of the normal rotational profile of the children in any particular environment. This study was carried out to establish the normal values of the rotational profile of the lower extremities of Nigerian children residing in Benin City The rotational profile parameters which included the hip rotation angles and the thigh foot angles of the lower extremities of 492 children aged between 3 and 10 years were determined by the clinical method described by Cheng et al. There is a gradual increase in the mean Medial Hip Rotation Angle (MHRA) value from 37.9± 9.1^˚ and 41.0± 9.8^˚ respectively for male and female children at age 3 to a maximum mean MHRA value of 44.5±11.0^˚ at age 6 for male children and 51.0 ± 11.8^˚ at age 9 for female children. The mean lateral Hip Rotation Angle (LHRA) value show a reverse trend as there is gradual decrease from a maximum mean LHRA of 52.1±12.8^˚ and 50.0± 13.7^˚ for male and female children respectively at age 3 to a minimum value of 40.0± 15.9 and 38.9± 17.6 for male and female children respectively at age 8.The Thigh Foot Angle (TFA) values which were 4.6± 4.1^˚ and 4.5± 3.9^˚ in male and female children respectively increased to a similar 0 value of 15.0± 3.3^˚ in both sexes at age 10. The lower extremity rotational profile of Nigerian children showed similar changes with age when compared to white American and Chinese children