Limb alignment

Limb alignment is the alignment of the leg when standing and weight-bearing.

mechanical axis
Long-leg weightbearing X-rays will allow computation of the distance between the mechanical axis (yellow) and the anatomical axis (blue). Here on the one side the patient is shown to have a varus (bow-leg) deformity because the two lines do not match up in the centre of the knee joint.

 

Varus and valgus deformity

When the legs are bowed, it is called a varus deformity. When they are knock-kneed it is called a valgus deformity.

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Related Content

Injuries to the Growth Plate in Children: Why are they Important?

Discussion of changes to limb length caused by damage to the growth plate before puberty.

Rotational Deformity ("Miserable Malalignment")

Article with photos about the rotational deformities involved in the condition of miserable malalignment.

Sponsor: 
Sanders Clinic for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine

Knee osteotomy and painful osteoarthritis

Part of a course on realignment osteotomy

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CLINICAL PUBLICATIONS

How accurate is anatomic limb alignment in predicting mechanical limb alignment after total knee arthroplasty? SLee SA, Choi, S-H and Jong M. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2015; 16: 323.

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