Radiographic evaluation of the carrying angle and its correlation with various skeletal elements of the elbow joint in Iranian people

Background and aims: Evaluating the carrying angle and other anthropological features is important in determining elbow deformities. This study evaluated the carrying angle and various skeletal elements in normal Iranian adults. Methods: The present study includes the elbow radiographs of 253 adolescents (87 women and 166 men). The carrying angle, articular surface angle, radial neck-shaft angle, and inter-epicondylar diameter have been measured. Then, a statistical analysis was conducted by gender and side for each measure. Spearman’s or Pearson’s correlations were used to detect the correlation between means. Results: The mean carrying angle, radial neck-shaft angle, articular surface angle, and inter-epicondylar diameter were 19.72±7.68° , 11.21±4.45° , 85.19±7.62° , and 85.80±66.47 (mm) respectively. Statistically significant differences were not found between the left and right sides in all parameters for both males and females. However, significant differences were found between genders in inter-epicondylar diameter (P=0.0001). Further, a significant negative correlation was found between the carrying and articular surface angles in males (r=-0.29) and females (r=-0.33). However, there was no significant correlation between the carrying angle and radial neck-shaft angle or inter-epicondylar diameter. Conclusion: The present study showed the mean value of carrying angle, radial neck-shaft angle, articular surface angle, and inter-epicondylar diameter in Iranian people. The result of this study might be useful in the management of elbow disorders such as fractures and displacement as well as elbow reconstruction surgery procedures.