Valgus position
A valgus position (from Latin valgus - crooked) is a misalignment in connection with limbs , in which the part further away from the body points away from the center line beyond normal, while the varus position means a deviation inwards. Due to the valgus position, the affected joint (or bone) is bent inwards and often protrudes on the inside.
At the knee joint this is an outward deviation of the lower leg, which corresponds to a knock-kneed leg if the normal X-position (physiological valgus position) of 7 degrees is exceeded; this often makes the inner joint parts protruding. The technical term is the genu valgum .
Basically, a valgus position is possible on all joints and bones of the extremities and can lead to premature osteoarthritis of the affected or nearest joint due to unilateral biomechanical overload .
In the case of a knock knees (genu valgum), this can lead to an externally accentuated valgus gonarthrosis due to increased stress on the outer joint space .
Further examples of a valgus deformity are:
- Coxa valga (hip malposition): The femoral neck is too steep in relation to the thigh shaft, the real CCD angle (the angle between the femoral head, femoral neck and femoral shaft) is over 140 degrees, normally between 120 and 140 °. The pressure-absorbing zone of the femoral head becomes smaller, the joint is then also at risk of osteoarthritis , the greater the higher the CCD angle. Coxa valga is therefore considered to be pre-arthrosis and, in addition to acetabular dysplasia , is a component of hip dysplasia . In the valgus position, the part distant from the body points away from the midline with the standardized position of the part close to the body. In this respect, the neck of the femur is not oriented more "steeply" on the shaft, but rather the shaft faces further away from the center of the body in relation to the femoral neck.
- Crus valgum : valgus malalignment of the lower leg in the very rare congenital tibia recurvata .
- Hallux valgus : The big toe points outwards and often presses the smaller neighboring toes, whereby the big toe joint emerges as a ball on the inner edge of the foot. The cause is usually an opposite varus orientation of the first metatarsal ( metatarsus primus varus ).
- Pes valgus or Calcaneus valgus describes the buckled foot (often observed in children) in which the heel bone ( calcaneus ) is tilted outwards.
- Cubitus valgus is an often genetic misalignment of the elbow in which the inner elbow knot ( epicondylus humeri medialis ) protrudes prominently and the forearm points away from the trunk.
- Carpus valgus as a result of premature ulnar joint closure .
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- F. Hefti: Children's orthopedics in practice . Springer 1998, ISBN 3-540-61480-X .
- S.Waldt, M.Eiber, K.Wörtler: Measurement methods and classifications in musculoskeletal radiology, Thieme 2011, ISBN 978-3-13-149721-5
- W. Pschyrembel, Clinical Dictionary, Verlag Walter de Gruyter, 265th edition (2014) ISBN 3-11-018534-2
