Treatments are available for all of the following deformities, which can be congenital by nature, such as clubfoot, or the result of abuse/overuse, injury, arthritis, and/or serious underlying diseases.
Valgus Deformity
This is a general orthopedic term referring to the outward angulation of a bone or joint from the medial plane of the body.
- Coxa valga: (Latin "coxa" for "hip") A hip deformity wherein the femoral (thigh bone) shaft is bent outward in relation to the femoral neck at an angle of more than 135 degrees, resulting in bowleggedness
- Genu valgum: (Latin "genu" for "knee") The tibia (shinbone) is turned outward with respect to the thigh bone, causing a knock-kneed position
- Talipes valgus: (Latin "talus" for "ankle" and Greek "pes" for "foot") The heel is turned outward, causing clubfoot in the person as he tends to walk on the inner side of the foot
- Hallux valgus: (Latin "hallux" for "big toe") The big toe is turned outward pressing toward the second toe. (See article "Joint Deformities of the Fingers and Toes")
- Cubitus valgus: (Latin "cubitus" for "elbow") The elbows are turned outward.
Varus deformity
The opposite of valgus deformity, this is a general orthopedic term referring to the inward angulation of a bone or joint toward the medial plane of the body.
- Coxa vara: A hip deformity wherein the femoral shaft is bent inward in relation to the femoral neck at an angle of less than 120 degrees, resulting in a limp and a knock-kneed deformity
- Genu varum: The tibia is turned inward with respect to the thigh bone, causing a bowlegged appearance
- Talipes varus: The heel is turned inward, causing clubfoot in the person as he tends to walk on the outer side of the foot
- Hallux varus: The big toe is turned inward away from the second toe. (See article "Joint Deformities of the Fingers and Toes")
- Cubitus varus: The elbows are turned inward
Wrist drop
Also known as radial neuropathy, it involves paralysis of the extensor muscles of the wrist and finger due to radial nerve damage, thereby causing the inability to extend the wrist that the hand hangs limply.
Foot drop
A condition characterized by the inability to flex the ankle and toes upward caused by paralysis or weakness of the muscles that raise the foot. To avoid slapping the foot onto the floor, a person with foot drop would raise his thigh very high, as if climbing upstairs, to accommodate the toe drop.
Flat feet
Also called pes planus or fallen arches, this is a condition characterized by partial or complete collapse of the arch of the foot.
Club foot
Medically known as talipes equinovarus, this is a treatable birth defect wherein the foot is turned inward and downward. Without treatment, the person with clubfoot seems to walk on their ankles or on the side of their feet.
Limb Length Discrepancy
A medical condition wherein the arms or legs are of different sizes. Except for severe cases, arm length inequality presents little or no problem as to the functions of the arms. However, unequal leg length can cause knee and hip pain, eventually leading to osteoarthritis.
Winged Scapula
A shoulder condition in which the shoulder blade (scapula) projects out of the back, giving a wing-like appearance, especially when raising the arms or pushing against an object.
