Correlation of Quadriceps Angle Deviation with Front Foot Knee Pain in Fast Bowlers

Background: The knee is the anatomical site for most musculoskeletal pains associated with cricket. Fast bowlers are more likely to have pain in their front-foot knees because of the significant strain and repetitive stress that results from the ground response force created by front-foot impact with flexion and extension. Objective: To determine the correlation of Q angle with front foot knee pain among fast bowlers. Methodology: This cross-sectional correlation study was conducted at Aleem Dar Cricket Academy, Lahore Qalandars High-Performance Center, LCCA Cricket Ground, Ghani Institute of Cricket, Azhar Ali Cricket Academy, Model Town Greens and Whites Cricket Academy/Club. The study duration was from March to October 2024. Non-probability convenient sampling technique was applied. Age 17 to 25 years. Both male and female cricketers playing for the last 2 years were included. History of orthopaedic surgery in six months, subjects with a background of any neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, history of fracture past 6 months and history of cancer excluded. A numeric pain rating scale and goniometer were used as assessment tools. The SPSS version 25 was used to examine the data. Results: The mean age, body mass index, knee pain score and Q angle of participants were 19.95±2.63; 23.36±1.67; 4.46±1.51 and 14.85±2.04. Out of 160 fast bowlers, 160 (73.9%) experienced moderate levels of pain and among them, an increased Q angle was reported in 58 (43.5%) cricketers. The table shows a moderate but non-significant association between increased Q-angle (mean score 14.85±2.04) and knee pain (mean score 4.46±1.51) in fast bowlers (r=0.43, p>0.05). Conclusion: This study concluded that there was a statistically significant correlation between Q angle and knee pain among fast bowlers. The highest prevalence of the pain was moderate in athletes with normal Q angle.