Carrying angle of the elbow joint in young caucasian and Indian American population: A descriptive cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: To establish normative anthropometric data about the carrying angle, length of the forearm, hip circumference, and body height for young Indian American and Caucasian population and to test statistically the ethnic and gender differences. The objective was also to compare the right and left carrying angle in the ethnic groups. Material and Methods: The present study included 200 students from the American population. Among them, 100 were Caucasians (50 females and 50 males), and 100 were Indian Americans (50 females and 50 males). These participants were aged between 18 and 30 years. Goniometer was used to measure the carrying angle, the hip circumference, body height, and length of forearm were also determined. Results: The present study observed that there was no statistical significance for the carrying angle compared between sides and genders of both the ethnic groups (P > 0.05). The carrying angle was higher (P < 0.05) in Caucasians than in the Indian Americans, both over the right and left upper extremities. This was observed in both the genders. The comparison between genders showed that, carrying angle was higher for females (P < 0.05) than the males in both Caucasians and Indian Americans. Discussion and Conclusion: This investigation contributes the morphological database in Indian Americans and Caucasians for the carrying angle. The morphological findings of this study could be used as reference values for the clinical application and ergonomics. The knowledge about the carrying angle is imperative during the surgical procedures at the elbow joint.