Q- Angle is indicator of force produced by quadriceps and is a clinical tool to measure the knee function and alignment. It is well established that normal reference value of Q-angle varies in different racial groups like Caucasians, Americans, Asians and Africans owning to different anatomical and biomechanical features of knee joint complex. However, there is dearth of literature comparing values of Q-angle between Indian and East African population. Objective: (1) establish a baseline reference value of Q-angle among asymptomatic adults belonging to eastern Africa; and (2) To compare these values with their Indian counterparts. Materials and Methods: The study was done in Anatomy department on 100 students of Sharda University, Greater Noida. Bilateral Q - angle was measured with subjects standing in an erect, weight-bearing position. The subjects were divided into two groups (n=50 each group) Group-I (Indian) and Group-II (East African). Group-II subjects belonged to Kenya (n=23) and Tanzania (n=27). Bilateral asymmetry and gender variation was determined using appropriate statistical method. Result and Conclusion: In Group-I and in Group-II, the mean Q-angles values of 100 limbs were 13.78°±2.41 and 17.06°±3.73 the values were significantly higher in latter group (p<0.001). Both the groups showed significant bilateral asymmetry (p<0.05) and gender variation with Q -angle values being greater for women than in men (p<0.001).

Keywords: Q-Angle; Bilateral Symmetry; Patellofemoral Alignment.