Related articles: Knee valgus
Definition
The valgus knee is a deformity of the lower limb that leads the leg to assume a characteristic X-shaped position.
The longitudinal axes of the femur and tibia deviate, therefore, towards the interior, bringing the knees to approach one another, forming an obtuse angle open laterally.
The valgus knee occurs mainly during childhood and, in most cases, resolves spontaneously within 7-9 years of age. The tendency to have X legs is partly constitutional or family (if even one parent is affected). However, if the phenomenon is important, some specific problems might exist at the base.
Among the factors that may be implicated in knee valgus include, in particular, metabolic and bone diseases (such as rickets and skeletal dysplasia), overweight, infections and previous traumas that have conferred an asymmetrical growth of the femur and / or tibia.
Most common symptoms and signs *
- Knee pain
- Articolar pains
- Muscle pains
- Legs tired, heavy legs
- Joint swelling
- Joint stiffness
Further indications
Symptoms most commonly associated with the valgus knee include difficulty walking, and pain and swelling of the affected part. In the case of very severe angular deviations, valgus may predispose to the appearance of bone or joint disorders, such as degenerative meniscopathy or knee osteoarthritis.
To measure the extent of the deformation, a complete radiographic picture is needed.
When the valgus takes on important characteristics (at least about 20 degrees of femoral-tibial angle), in the age of growth, a treatment of medial hemiepyphesis may be indicated, which involves the positioning of supports (cambres or plates) on the inner side of the knee, so as to allow a progressive correction of the defect with the development.
In young adults, the correction of the valgus knee is obtained with more demanding interventions, such as femoral or tibial osteotomies, which aim to realign the limb and restore proper joint biomechanics.
