Postural Deformities – Lower Limb Disorders
Olivia Davis
2026-03-23
7 min. read
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The final type of alignment errors that we wish to report on are deformities in the lower extremities. In the following text segment, I will present the most common pathologies in the lower parts of our body. If you are questioning what they are, how to identify them, and what can be done to prevent them, I invite you to familiarize yourself with the following text.
Understanding genu valgum: Definition and underlying biomechanical mechanisms
Genu valgum, commonly referred to as "knock-knee" deformity, represents one of the most prevalent anatomical misalignments affecting the lower limbs, defined by an abnormal angular relationship between the biomechanical axes of the femur and tibia. The core characteristic of this condition is the outward deviation—termed *valgus angulation*—between the longitudinal axis of the thigh and that of the leg, resulting in the lower leg assuming an abducted position as its physiological neutral stance. The degree of deviation is quantified both in angular degrees (reference normal range: 10 to 15 degrees) and in linear centimeters (accepted norm: 4 to 5 cm of intermalleolar distance when the knees are fully extended and approximated). Measurement is conducted by precisely assessing the gap between the medial malleoli in a standing position with the legs straightened. Several primary etiologies underlie this condition, including congenital genetic predisposition, sequelae of rickets, traumatic injuries, neuromuscular paralysis, and static deformities arising from prolonged, uneven mechanical loading of the bony and articular structures of the lower extremities.
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