Physiological genu varum
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Synopsis
Physiological genu varum is a very common condition among young children, characterized by an angular deformity of the knee curving laterally. It generally affects children younger than 2 years and is the most common cause of leg bowing in children. The condition generally does not cause pain or functional impairments and, in most cases, resolves spontaneously.Causes / typical injury mechanism: Physiological genu varum is a result of the typical progression of lower extremity alignment over the first 7 years of life. At birth, lower limb alignment is varus (mild bowing), which generally increases with the introduction of ambulation. A more accentuated varus angle is referred to as physiological genu varum, which is defined as having a varus deformity with a tibiofemoral angle that is within 2 standard deviations from the mean for the age of the patient. This measurement is a very important tool in distinguishing physiological and pathologic genu varum.
Classic history and presentation: Parents usually come in with concerns about the appearance of the child's legs, excessive falling, and sometimes in-toeing. More specifically, the condition presents with bilateral and symmetric bowing of both femur and tibia bones, as well as a normal stature overall.
Prevalence:
- Age – Children younger than 2 years.
Codes
ICD10CM:M21.169 – Varus deformity, not elsewhere classified, unspecified knee
SNOMEDCT:
79168008 – Congenital genu varum
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Infantile tibia vara (Blount disease)
- Rickets
- Skeletal dysplasia
- Other metabolic bone diseases
- Infection
- Neoplasia
- Trauma
- Neurofibromatosis
- Achondroplasia
- Osteogenesis imperfecta
- Renal osteodystrophy
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Last Reviewed:09/01/2020
Last Updated:10/28/2020
Last Updated:10/28/2020
Physiological genu varum