The Effect of TheraBand Training on the Q Angle and Distance of Ankle Medial Malleolus in Individuals With Genu Valgum Deformity

Purpose: Genu valgum deformity a common lower extremity deformity. The weakness of the lower limb muscles followed by the internal rotation of the femur and external rotation of the tibia, shift the gravitational pull to the outside of the knee. This lower limb alignment deformity could increase the distance of ankle medial malleolus and the Q angle. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of TheraBand training on the Q angle and distance of ankle medial malleolus in individuals with genu valgum deformity. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test and post-test and control group design. The study population consisted of girls in the age range of 9-13 years with genu valgum deformity. The study subjects were randomly divided into the experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The experimental group participated in TheraBand exercises for 8 weeks and 3 sessions per week. However, the control group received no training during this period. Before and after 8 weeks, the Q angle and distance of ankle medial malleolus were measured by goniometers and coulis, respectively. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to analyze the collected data in SPSS. The significance level was considered at 0.05.  Results: The obtained statistical results suggested that TheraBand training significantly decreased the Q angle and the distance of ankle medial malleolus in the explored subjects with genu valgum deformity (P=0.001 & P=0.04, respectively). However, no significant difference was observed in the control group.  Conclusion: The obtained data revealed that TheraBand training could improve the genu valgum position. Therefore, this training protocol could be implemented to improve the deformity in this population.