Calcaneal angle in Ugandans

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Radiology
• Anthropometry

Background:

• The calcaneal angle is a key metric in foot biomechanics and orthopedic assessments.
• Establishing population-specific normal ranges is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the normal range of the calcaneal angle in a Ugandan population.
• To compare calcaneal angle values between Ugandan males and females.
• To investigate ethnic variations by comparing Ugandan and Nigerian populations.

Main Methods:

• Radiographic analysis of 206 lateral foot radiographs from Ugandan adults (114 males, 92 females, aged 20-40).
• Measurement of the calcaneal angle.
• Statistical analysis to compare means and ranges between sexes and ethnic groups.

Main Results:

• The overall calcaneal angle range in Ugandans was 20-50 degrees, the widest reported in Africans.
• Mean calcaneal angle was 35.1° (SD 7.5°) in males and 37.6° (SD 5.6°) in females.
• Females showed a significantly higher mean calcaneal angle than males (P < 0.01).
• Significant differences were observed between Ugandan and Nigerian populations for both sexes (P < 0.01 for males, P < 0.001 for females).

Conclusions:

• The study establishes a broad, population-specific range for the calcaneal angle in Ugandans.
• Findings underscore the importance of considering ethnic and sex-specific variations in calcaneal morphology.
• This data is vital for orthopedic surgeons managing calcaneal fractures and related conditions in this region.