Radiological assessment of the calcaneal angles

Radiological assessment of the calcaneal angles of Kwara populace: A retrospective study: Ade S Alabi, Bilikis E Mohammed, Susan Folashade Lewu, Richard O Neku, Bidemi S Kareem, Oyetunji A Oyewopo, Foyeke M Adigun



International Journal of Health & Allied Sciences 2020 9(1):29-33



INTRODUCTION: Estimation of sex from different dimensions has considerable forensic value, for the identification of human remains, in the estimation of sex at disaster sites and in corroborating reports from scientists. This study evaluated calcaneal angles of Kwara populace and estimated sex using X-ray (Bohler's angle [BA], crucial angle of Gissane [CG], Fowler–Philips angle [FPA], calcaneal inclination angle [CIA], and calcaneal compression angle [CCA]).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and ten lateral radiographs consisting of 59 males and 51 females (unilateral) were used in this study. The study was carried out on randomly collected lateral calcaneal radiographs of adults in several hospitals in Kwara state. Standard anthropometric methods were used to measure the right and left calcaneal angles: BA, GA, FPA, CIA, and CCA. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 (IBM® Armonk, New York, USA) statistical software. Confidence level was set at 95% as P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: For right and left calcaneus in both sexes, the calcaneal angles were not significant. The P value was >0.05 (P > 0.05), indicating a nonstatistically significant values for the calcaneal angles. This present study, following measurements of calcaneal parameters in determining the sex of the right and left foot, showed no significant statistical difference across all five parameters.

CONCLUSION: The findings showed that the measured calcaneal parameters cannot be used for determining sex.