REGIONAL AND GENDER-BASED NORMATIVE VALUES OF THE TALOCALCANEAL ANGLE IN AN AFRICAN POPULATION
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Abstract
Background: The talocalcaneal angle (TCA) is an important radiographic parameter used to evaluate hindfoot alignment and diagnose various foot deformities. While extensive data exist for non-African populations, research on normal TCA ranges for African populations remains limited, despite their importance for region-specific diagnostic and surgical planning.
Objective: This study aimed to establish a nomogram for the TCA in an African population, evaluating potential gender and age differences and comparing findings with non-African studies.
Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted with 120 participants (60 males, 60 females) aged 19–70 years. Standardized lateral weightbearing foot radiographs were obtained following clinical examination to exclude pathological conditions. The TCA was measured three times by two independent raters, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess inter- and intra-rater reliability. Statistical analyses, including independent t-tests and ANOVA, were performed to evaluate gender and age effects.
Results: The mean ± 2SD TCA was 39.20 ± 6.76 degrees, with a normal range of 32.44 to 45.96 degrees. No significant differences were observed between genders or across age groups (p > 0.05). ICC analysis demonstrated excellent reliability for averaged measures (p < 0.001). The TCA was significantly higher than reported values in non-African populations (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: This study provides a population-specific normal range for TCA in an African cohort, emphasizing the importance of regional norms for clinical and surgical decision-making. Future research should explore factors influencing TCA and validate these findings across diverse African populations.
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