In orthopedics

Orthopedics

Orthopedics is the study of the musculoskeletal system. The Greek word 'ortho' means straight or correct and 'pedics' comes from the Greek 'pais' meaning children. For many centuries, orthopedists have been involved in the treatment of crippled children...

, a valgus deformity is a term for outward angulation of the distal segment of a bone

Bone

Bones are rigid organs that constitute part of the endoskeleton of vertebrates. They support, and protect the various organs of the body, produce red and white blood cells and store minerals. Bone tissue is a type of dense connective tissue...

 or joint

Joint

A joint is the location at which two or more bones make contact. They are constructed to allow movement and provide mechanical support, and are classified structurally and functionally.-Classification:...

. The opposite deformation, medial deviation of the distal bone, is called varus

Varus deformity

In orthopedics, a varus deformity is a term for the inward angulation of the distal segment of a bone or joint. The opposite of varus is called valgus.The terms varus and valgus always refer to the direction that the distal segment of the joint points....

.

The terms varus and valgus always refer to the direction that the distal segment of the joint points.

For a discussion of the etymology

Etymology

Etymology is the study of the history of words, their origins, and how their form and meaning have changed over time.For languages with a long written history, etymologists make use of texts in these languages and texts about the languages to gather knowledge about how words were used during...

 of these words, see the entry under varus

Varus deformity

In orthopedics, a varus deformity is a term for the inward angulation of the distal segment of a bone or joint. The opposite of varus is called valgus.The terms varus and valgus always refer to the direction that the distal segment of the joint points....

.

Common causes of Valgus Knee in adults include arthritis of the knee and trauma.

Knee arthritis with valgus knee

Rheumatoid knee commonly presents as valgus knee. Osteoarthritis knee may also sometimes present with valgus deformity though varus deformity is common. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to correct valgus deformity is surgically difficult and requires specialized implants called constrained condylar knees.

Examples

• Hip: coxa valga
  Coxa valga
  It is a deformity of the hip where the angle formed between the head and neck of the femur and its shaft is increased, usually above 135 degrees. It is caused by a slipped epiphysis of the femoral head.-See also:*Coxa vara*Genu valgum*Genu varum...
  
  (from Latin coxa = hip) — the shaft of the femur
  Femur
  The femur , or thigh bone, is the most proximal bone of the leg in tetrapod vertebrates capable of walking or jumping, such as most land mammals, birds, many reptiles such as lizards, and amphibians such as frogs. In vertebrates with four legs such as dogs and horses, the femur is found only in...
  
   is bent outward in respect to the neck of the femur. Coxa vara on the other hand is a reverse of above where the neck-shaft angle is reduced (from nearly 135).
• Knee: genu valgum
  Genu valgum
  Genu valgum, commonly called "knock-knee", is a condition where the knees angle in and touch one another when the legs are straightened. Women have a wider pelvis than men and a relatively shorter length of the thigh bone, and as a result, have a greater static genu valgum than men...
  
  (from Latin genu = knee) — the tibia is turned outward in relation to the femur, resulting in a knock-kneed appearance.
• Ankle: talipes valgus (from Latin talus = ankle and Greek pes = foot) — outward turning of the heel, resulting in clubfoot with the person walking on the inner part of the foot.
• Toe: hallux valgus (Latin hallux = big toe) — outward deviation of the big toe toward the second toe.
• Elbows: cubitus valgus
  Cubitus valgus
  Cubitus valgus is a medical deformity in which the elbows are turned in. A small degree of cubitus valgus is acceptable and occurs in the general population....
  
  (Latin cubitus = elbow) — turned-in elbows