Varus deformity

Varus deformity

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Caption = "Varus Deformity" MRI and photograph
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ICD10 = ICD10|M|21|1|m|20
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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.

For example, in a varus deformity of the knee, the distal part of the leg below the knee is deviated "inward", resulting in a bowlegged appearance. Conversely, a "valgus" deformity at the knee results in a "knock-kneed" appearance, with the distal part of the leg deviated "outward".

Terminology

The terminology is made confusing by the etymology of these words.
*In Latin, varus actually means "knock-kneed" and valgus means "bowlegged."
*In a knock-kneed person, the femur is deviated "inward" in relation to the "hip", so the term "varus" is correctly applied for the hip, as it refers to the distal segment being angled inward.
*But in the same knock-kneed person, the opposite situation is found at the "knee", with the distal segment now being deviated "outward", so the term "valgus" is used for the knee.
*It is correct for a knock-kneed deformity to be called both a "varus" deformity at the hip/femur and a "valgus" deformity at the knee/tibia, although the common terminology is to refer to it as "genu valgum".

If this is confusing, just remember that "varus = inward" and "valgus = outward" and always refers to the direction that the distal part of the joint points.

When the terminology specifies a bone rather than a joint, the bone is taken to be the distal segment of a joint. Thus, a varus deformity of the tibia refers to the femur/tibia joint (the knee) and not the ankle joint.

Examples

*Hip: "coxa vara" — the angle between the head and the shaft of the femur is reduced, resulting in a limp.
*Knee: "genu varum" (from Latin "genu" = knee) — the tibia is turned inward in relation to the femur, resulting in a bowlegged deformity.
*Ankle: "talipes varus" (from Latin "talus" = ankle and "pes" = foot) — inward turning of the heel, resulting in clubfoot with the person walking on the outer part of the foot.
*Toe: "hallux varus" (Latin "hallux" = big toe) — inward deviation of the big toe away from the second toe.
*Elbows: "cubitus varus" (Latin "cubitus" = elbow) — turned inward elbows

ee also

*valgus deformity


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Varus (disambiguation) — Varus can refer to: *in anatomy, a varus deformity. *Publius Quinctilius Varus (46 BC 9 AD), an ancient Roman politician. *Quinctilius Varus (c. 1–27), his son. *Alfenus Varus, 1st century Roman jurist and possibly consul *Varus, a Roman cognomen …   Wikipedia

  • varus — foot deformity, 1800, from L. varus, lit. “knock kneed.” …   Etymology dictionary

  • Varus — Va rus, n. [NL., fr. L., bent, grown inwards.] (Med.) A deformity in which the foot is turned inward. See {Talipes}. [Webster 1913 Suppl.] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • varus — Bent or twisted inward toward the midline of the limb or body; modern accepted usage, particularly in orthopedics, erroneously transposes the meaning of valgus to v., as in genu varum (bow leg). [Mod. L. bent inward, fr. L. knock kneed] * * *… …   Medical dictionary

  • varus — adjective Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, bent inward, bow legged Date: 1945 1. of, relating to, or being a deformity in which an anatomical part is turned inward toward the midline of the body to an abnormal degree < a varus heel > < varus… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • varus — adj. describing any deformity that displaces the distal end of a limb towards the midline. See: bow legs (genu varum), club foot (talipes varus), hallux varus Compare: valgus …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • deformity — A permanent structural deviation from the normal shape, size, or alignment, resulting in disfigurement; may be congenital or acquired. SEE ALSO: deformation (1). Åkerlund d. indentation (incisura) with niche of duodenal …   Medical dictionary

  • varus — [ vɛ:rəs] noun Medicine a deformity involving oblique displacement of part of a limb towards the midline. Compare with valgus. Origin C19: from L., lit. bent, crooked …   English new terms dictionary

  • varus — n. a deformity involving the inward displacement of the foot or hand from the midline. Etymology: L, = bent, crooked …   Useful english dictionary

  • Cubitus varus — Classification and external resources ICD 10 M21.1, Q68.8 ICD 9 736.02, 755.59 Cubitus varus ( …   Wikipedia

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