Knee Deformities
January 1st, 2017
Genu Varum (Bow Leg)
Look For
- Outward bowing of the legs. May be associated with a waddling gait or in-toeing. Look for deformities of the foot.
Causes of Genu Varum (Bow Leg)
- Normal from birth to 2 years of age
- Physiological bow-legging
- Rickets - vitamin D deficiency
- Achondroplasia
- Blount's disease (tibia vara)
- Growth arrest - due to infection, fracture or tumour of the growth plate
Genu Valgum (Knock-Knee)
Look For
- Inward angulation of the legs, with the knees rubbing together.
Causes of Genu Valgum (Knock-Knee)
- Normal from 2-5 years of age
- Physiologic knock-knee
- Growth arrest - due to infection, fracture or tumour of the growth plate
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Bony dysplasia
- Osteogenesis imperfecta
- Ligamentous pathology - collateral / cruciate ligament laxity, iliotibial band contracture
Genu Recurvatum (Back-Knee)
Look For
- Backwards angulation (hyperextension) of the knee joint greater than 5 degrees.
Significance
- An indicator of ligamentous laxity, either due to trauma or a hypermobility syndrome (e.g. Marfans).
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