Metaphyseal diaphyseal angle

Last revised by Henry Knipe on 23 Feb 2024

The metaphyseal-diaphyseal angle (of Drennan) is an important measurement used to distinguish between tibia vara (Blount disease) and physiological bowleg

Measurement

This angle is measured by drawing a line along the long axis of the tibia, creating a perpendicular to this line, and drawing another line through the axial plane of the proximal tibial metaphysis. The angle created between the perpendicular line shown and the metaphyseal line is the metaphyseal diaphyseal angle ref.

Interpretation

It is abnormal if >11o, indicating Blount disease ref

History and etymology

The metaphyseal-diaphyseal angle was described by Levine and Drennan in 1982 1.

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