Racial variations in knee joint laxity: A comparative study of the Jordanian Arab and Malay populations.
BACKGROUND
A high incidence of joint laxity has been reported among Asians compared with Western populations, but clear differences between more specific ethnic populations have not been established. This study aimed to determine the average knee laxity in the Malaysian and Jordanian populations.


METHODS
Jordanian and Malaysian medical students from our institution were invited to participate in the study. General demographic data and factors affecting joint laxity were obtained from each participant using a printed questionnaire. Both knees were examined using the anterior drawer test while in 90° of flexion. Knee laxity was measured by three separate independent investigators through a knee laxity tester.


RESULTS
One hundred and eighty-six participants (95 females) were enrolled in the study. Among them, 108 Malaysians participated. The Jordanians had significantly higher knee laxity in both knees compared with the Malaysians. The mean average right knee laxity for Jordanians was 2.98 mm vs. 2.72 mm for Malaysians (P = 0.005). Similarly, the mean average left knee laxity for Jordanians was 2.95 mm, while for Malaysians, it was 2.62 mm (P = 0.0001). Furthermore, smokers had significantly more laxity in both knees. After performing a multivariate linear regression analysis for all factors, race was the only independent factor that affected knee laxity in both knees.


CONCLUSIONS
Race is directly associated with knee laxity. Jordanians tend to have more laxity in knee joints compared with Malaysians. Larger multi-center and genetic studies are recommended to establish the racial differences between different ethnic groups.
['Bashaireh|Khaldoon M|KM|', 'Yabroudi|Mohammad A|MA|', 'Nawasreh|Zakariya H|ZH|', 'Al-Zyoud|Sultan M|SM|', 'Bashir|Nemah B|NB|', 'Aleshawi|Abdelwahab J|AJ|', 'Allouh|Mohammed Z|MZ|']
D018912:Arabs D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena D005260:Female D006801:Humans D007593:Joint Instability D007718:Knee Injuries D007719:Knee Joint D008296:Malaysia D008297:Male D016059:Range of Motion, Articular D055815:Young Adult
Joint laxity Malay Asian Ligaments