World Journal of Medical Sciences 11 (4): 586-589, 2014 ISSN 1817-3055 © IDOSI Publications, 2014 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wjms.2014.11.4.86245 Corresponding Author: W.N. Dare, Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Nigeria. Tel: +08053257740, E-mail: pastordarewn@yahoo.com. 586 Incidence of Genu Valgumin Relation to Intermalleolar Distances of Adultsin Amassoma South-South Nigeria W.N. Dare, A.Z. Erefah and D.D. Mac-Eteli Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Nigeria Abstract: Intermalleolar distance of 80 adults, (50 normal and30 with genu valgum) of both gender between the age bracket of 18-35years were measuredwith a caliper to establish values for analysis. All subjects are resident in Amassoma, Bayelsa State Nigeria.The mean intermalleiolar distance obtained for normal adult males was 1.79cm with a standard deviation (SD) of 0.42 and 4.56cm for females with SD of ±1.71, while the mean IMD for adult males with genu valgumwas 13.92cm with SD of ±8.64.A casual observance of the mean values of the mean IMD between males and females in the normal subjects and those with genu valgum indicated variations amongst the values. These variations were however not statistically significant between the male and female genu valgum group, while there was a statistically significant difference in the mean IMD values between normal adult males and females (P< 0.05) for both groups).It could then be concluded that a mean IMD of < 4cm and <8cm may be considered within the safe limits for males and females respectively in the normal adult population. The difference between males and females could be due to the wider pelvis in the females than in males. Key words: Genu Valgum Intermalleolar Distance Stapling Osteotomy INTRODUCTION on the patella so that legs are bowed inward in the Literature regarding the variation of intermalleolar ankles also touch. In a person with knock-knee, the knees distances (IMD) in Nigerian adults is scanty. normally touch each other but the ankles are separated Measurement of IMD is an important tool in assessing the from each other by a distance. angular status of a person’s lower limb, thus it may help Genu valgum may be physiologic or pathologic [4, 5]. in classing such an individual as having knocked knees Physiologic genu valgum occurs in children younger (genu valgum) bowed legs or being normal. It may also than six years and resolves by age six. Pathologic genu help authentically in the final analysis of the angular valgum occurs in adolescent and adults. Pathologic genu status of the lower limbs.Genu valgum is a latin-derived valgum may be acquired or congenital. Acquired genu word used to described the knock- knee deformity. valgum may be due to infectious diseases like polio, Intermalleolar distance is an important mistreated (or untreated) traumatic injuries of the lower anthropometric tool in the assessment of the angular limb. Congenital causes of genu valgum are due to genetic status of the lower limb. Itis the distance between the disorders such as Down’s syndrome, hereditary multiple medial malleoli of the ankles with the femoral condyle exostoses, neurofibromatosis, Marfan syndrome and touching [1,2]. The measurement is used in the untreated congenital abnormalities. classification of individuals in a population having genu Genu valgumis hereditary (due to gene mutation) [6]. valgum (knock-knees), genu varum (bowed legs) or The incidence of genu valgum is higher in overweight normal limbs. children than non-overweight counterparts of similar age Genu valgum (knock-knee) is a combination of lateral [7]. In their study [8, 9)] of 427 (212 males and 215 females) femoral neck anteversion and lateral tibial torsion [3]. It is normal European children age 10 to 16 years discovered a structural deviation that causes abnormal lateral stress that intermalleolar distance is greater in females than in standing position, if someone’s knees are touching, then