Alignment problems

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[edit] Alignment problems

The alignment of the legs is important for man who, contrary to our distant "cousins" (apes and monkeys), depends on an upright posture for a smooth gait. Unless our thigh bones and lower leg bones are aligned vertically race walking would not be possible. The choice of shoes has even an influence on how well we can walk. When we are bowlegged or knock-kneednormal walking becomes a chore and knee and leg pains are common place just from standing or normal walking. After various hip fractures there can be healing of the hip with an abnormal angle, which leads to a secondary bowlegeness (=genu varus) or secondary knock-knees (=genu valgus). This is important to diagnose as the orthopedic surgeon could do high tibial wedge excisions to correct the angles. This would avoid years of suffering from severe arthritis of the knees, which would have been the consequence of neglected alignment problem.

A completely different alignment problem (this time of the spine) is found with congenital scoliosis. As is explained in more detail in this chapter the alignment problem can be overcome in milder cases with bracing, in more severe cases with neurosurgical placement of a Harrington rod.

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Knee pain