Athletic Training Practice Exam

A Q-angle of greater than 25 degrees may predispose a patient to which postural deviation?

1. Excessive genu varus

2. Excessive genu valgus

3. Genu recurvatum

4. Coxa vara

The correct answer is: Excessive genu valgus

A Q-angle greater than 25 degrees is often associated with excessive genu valgus, which is a postural deviation characterized by a medial angulation of the lower limb. This condition can lead to an altered alignment of the knee joint, causing the knees to come closer together than normal while the feet remain further apart. The Q-angle, which represents the angle formed between the line of the quadriceps muscle and the patellar tendon, can be influenced by various factors, including pelvis width, femoral torsion, and how a person walks. When this angle is increased, it indicates a greater lateral pull on the patella, which can contribute to knee instability and predispose the individual to a range of knee issues, including patellar tracking problems and joint pain. Other postural deviations mentioned do not directly relate to an increased Q-angle. For instance, excessive genu varus refers to an outward bowing of the knees, which would typically be associated with a smaller or lesser Q-angle, while genu recurvatum involves hyperextension of the knee joint. Coxa vara indicates an angle of inclination at the hip that is less than normal, which is unrelated to Q-angle measurements in the context given. Thus, an increased Q-angle serves as a