Girish V. Patil1, Apoorva D2, Shishirkumar3
ABSTRACT: Apes and humans are distinguished from other primate species in possessing carrying angle at the elbow. When the upper extremity is in the anatomic position, the long axis of the humerus and the long axis of the ulna form an acute angle medially at the elbow which is called the carrying angle. It is reported that carrying angles differ according to the sex and age. Study is comprised of 400 healthy volunteers belonging south Indian origin with an average age range: 18-38 years. The carrying angle was measured with a full circle manual goniometer. In the males, the right carrying angle was 13.8°±3.02° and the left carrying angle was 12.2°±1.84° (P<.05). in the females, right carrying angle was 18.4°±2.62° and left carrying angle was 17.5°±2.84° (P<.05). Knowledge of carrying angle is useful anthropologically for differentiation of sex in fragmentary skeletal remains but according to our study racial differences in carrying angle should also be taken into consideration. It is of immense help to the orthopedic surgeon for correction of cubitus varus deformity occurring after mal-united supracondylor fracture of the humerus and in pediatric elbow surgery.
