Causes and Surgical Treatment of Idiopathic Genu Vara

Hui Wan Park; Sun Young Joo; Jin Soo Park; Kun Bo Park; Hyun Woo Kim

doi:10.4055/jkoa.2007.42.2.264

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Park, Joo, Park, Park, and Kim: Causes and Surgical Treatment of Idiopathic Genu Vara

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association

Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association 2007; 42(2): 264-269.

Published online: 30 April 2007

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2007.42.2.264

Causes and Surgical Treatment of Idiopathic Genu Vara

Hui Wan Park, M.D., Sun Young Joo, M.D., Jin Soo Park, M.D., Kun Bo Park, M.D.^*, Hyun Woo Kim, M.D.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

^*Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang, Korea.

Address reprint requests to Hyun Woo Kim, M.D. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 134, Sinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-752, Korea. Tel: +82.2-2228-2187, Fax: +82.2-363-1139, pedhkim@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr

Abstract

Purpose

To determine the underlying causes of idiopathic genu vara, and to evaluate the results of surgery.

Materials and Methods

Radiographic measurements were made using a standing orthoroentgenogram and a computerized axial tomography scan. Functional and cosmetic results after surgery were evaluated according to the causes.

Results

The patients with idiopathic genu vara were categorized into three groups: a group associated with increased femoral anteversion, a group associated with tibia vara and increased external rotation of the tibia, and a group associated with tibia vara. Satisfactory functional and cosmetic results were obtained after corrective surgery based on actual causes.

Conclusion

An accurate analysis based on the rotational and angular deformities is needed to make a surgical treatment plan for idiopathic genu vara.

Keywords: Idiopathic genu vara, Causes, Surgical treatment

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1

Frontal plane joint orientation angle relative to the mechanical axis. LDFA, lateral distal femoral angle; MPTA, medial proximal tibial angle.

Fig. 2

A 9 year-old boy in Group I. Inwardly pointing patellar due to increased femoral anteversion, which was assumed to be an apparent genu vara. A normal alignment of the lower extremity was observed when patellar was pointed forward. Genu recurvatum was also frequent in this group.

Fig. 3

A 18 year-old student in Group II. Tibia vara and increased external rotation of the tibia were obseved when the patellar was pointed forward.

Fig. 4

A 21 year-old student in Group III. Only tibia vara was observed when the patellar was pointed forward.

Table 1

The Criteria for Functional Results after Surgery

Table 2

Preoperative and Postoperative Radiographic Measurements

FA, angle of femoral anteversion; TER, angle of tibial external rotation; MPTA, medial proximal femoral angle; LDFA, lateral distal femoral angle; preop., preoperative measurement; postop., postoperative measurement.

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