5-Minute Clinical Consult
Genu Valgum
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Basics
Description
- Angling of the knee(s) toward the midline, giving the appearance of the knees touching while the ankles are apart
- Classified as physiologic and/or pathologic
- Physiologic genu valgum is a normal stage in the growth and development of healthy children between the ages of 2 and 7 years.
- Pathologic genu valgum if
- The extent of angulation is greater than the mean for that particular age.
- The deformity persists beyond the age-appropriate progression of valgus.
- There is an underlying etiology.
Epidemiology
Prevalence
Physiologic genu valgum is a normal variant in children 2 to 7 years of age. It is more common in females.
Etiology and Pathophysiology
- Physiologic genu valgum
- Lower extremity alignment in childhood progresses from varus to valgus in the first 2 years of life.
- Around 2 years of age, lower extremity alignment progresses to valgus until it reaches a maximum (peak valgus angulation of 10 to 15 degrees) at approximately 4 years of age.
- Most children reach neutral adult alignment (~5 degrees) by 7 years of age.
- Etiologies of pathologic genu valgum include:
- Physeal/bone damage
- Trauma (e.g., proximal tibia metaphyseal)
- Infection
- Inflammatory disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
- Metabolic disease
- Rickets
- Renal osteodystrophy
- Skeletal dysplasias
- Pseudoachondroplasia
- Metaphyseal dysplasia
- Multiple epiphyseal dysplasia
- Neoplasms
- Multiple hereditary exostoses
- Osteochondromas
- Other benign tumors
- Other
- Iliotibial band tightness
- Vascular compromise
- Neuromuscular disease
- Obesity
- Idiopathic
- Physeal/bone damage
Genetics
Idiopathic genu valgum is heritable.
Risk Factors
- Family history of genu valgum
- Proximal tibia metaphyseal fracture (Cozen fracture)
- Obesity
Commonly Associated Conditions
Flat feet and external tibial torsion frequently accompany physiologic genu valgum. When present, this often accentuates the appearance of valgus.
-- To view the remaining sections of this topic, please log in or purchase a subscription --
Basics
Description
- Angling of the knee(s) toward the midline, giving the appearance of the knees touching while the ankles are apart
- Classified as physiologic and/or pathologic
- Physiologic genu valgum is a normal stage in the growth and development of healthy children between the ages of 2 and 7 years.
- Pathologic genu valgum if
- The extent of angulation is greater than the mean for that particular age.
- The deformity persists beyond the age-appropriate progression of valgus.
- There is an underlying etiology.
Epidemiology
Prevalence
Physiologic genu valgum is a normal variant in children 2 to 7 years of age. It is more common in females.
Etiology and Pathophysiology
- Physiologic genu valgum
- Lower extremity alignment in childhood progresses from varus to valgus in the first 2 years of life.
- Around 2 years of age, lower extremity alignment progresses to valgus until it reaches a maximum (peak valgus angulation of 10 to 15 degrees) at approximately 4 years of age.
- Most children reach neutral adult alignment (~5 degrees) by 7 years of age.
- Etiologies of pathologic genu valgum include:
- Physeal/bone damage
- Trauma (e.g., proximal tibia metaphyseal)
- Infection
- Inflammatory disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
- Metabolic disease
- Rickets
- Renal osteodystrophy
- Skeletal dysplasias
- Pseudoachondroplasia
- Metaphyseal dysplasia
- Multiple epiphyseal dysplasia
- Neoplasms
- Multiple hereditary exostoses
- Osteochondromas
- Other benign tumors
- Other
- Iliotibial band tightness
- Vascular compromise
- Neuromuscular disease
- Obesity
- Idiopathic
- Physeal/bone damage
Genetics
Idiopathic genu valgum is heritable.
Risk Factors
- Family history of genu valgum
- Proximal tibia metaphyseal fracture (Cozen fracture)
- Obesity
Commonly Associated Conditions
Flat feet and external tibial torsion frequently accompany physiologic genu valgum. When present, this often accentuates the appearance of valgus.
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