Osteotomy Health Dictionary

Knock-knee, or genu valgum, is a deformity of the lower limbs in such a direction that when the limbs are straightened the legs diverge from one another. As a result, in walking the knees knock against each other. The amount of knock-knee is measured by the distance between the medial malleoli of the ankles, with the inner surfaces of the knee touching and the knee-caps facing forwards. The condition is so common in children between the ages of 2–6 years that it may almost be regarded as a normal phase in childhood. When marked, or persisting into later childhood, it can be corrected by surgery (osteotomy).... knock-knee

Also known as genu varum: a deformity of the legs which comprises outward curvature between knee and ankle. It may be normal in infancy, and occurs in osteoarthritis, RICKETS and other metabolic bone diseases. In early childhood it may correct with growth, but in other cases surgical correction by osteotomy or ephiphyseal stapling is possible.... bow leg

The medical term for knock-knee – a deformity of the lower limbs in such a direction that when the limbs are straightened, the legs diverge from one another. As a result, in walking, the knees knock against each other. The amount of knock-knee is measured by the distance between the medial malleoli of the ankles, with the inner surfaces of the knee touching and the knee-caps facing forwards. The condition is so common in children between the ages of 2–6 years that it may almost be regarded as a normal phase in childhood. When marked, or persisting into later childhood, it can be corrected by surgery (osteotomy).... genu valgum

A deformity of the hip in which the angle between the neck and head of the femur (thigh-bone) and the shaft of the femur is reduced, resulting in shortening of the leg, pain and stiffness in the hip, and a limp. The most common cause is a fracture to the neck of the femur or, during adolescence, injury to the developing part of the head of the bone. Coxa vara can also occur if the bone tissue in the neck of the femur is soft, a condition that may be congenital or the result of a bone disorder such as rickets or Paget’s disease. Treatment may include surgery (see osteotomy).... coxa vara

A deformity of the big toe in which the joint at the base projects out from the foot, and the top of the toe turns inwards.

The condition is more common in women, because it is usually associated with wearing narrow, pointed, high-heeled shoes, but it may be caused by an inherited weakness in the joint.

A hallux valgus often leads to formation of a bunion or to osteoarthritis in the joint, causing pain and limiting foot movement.

Severe deformity may be corrected by osteotomy or arthrodesis.... hallux valgus

pl. n. abnormal out-curving of the legs, resulting in a gap between the knees on standing. A certain degree of bowing is normal in small children, but persistence into adult life, or later development of this deformity, results from abnormal growth of the *epiphysis or arthritis. The condition can be corrected by *osteotomy. Medical name: genu varum.... bow-legs

n. outward curvature of the spine, which if excessive causes hunching of the back. A mobile kyphosis may be caused by bad posture or muscle weakness or may develop to compensate for another condition, such as hip deformity; it can be corrected by backward bending. A fixed kyphosis may be congenital; it may arise in adolescence (see Scheuermann’s disease); or it may result from collapse of the vertebrae, as in *osteoporosis, ankylosing *spondylitis, infections, or tumours. Treatment depends on the cause and may include physiotherapy, bracing, and surgery (spinal *osteotomy and fusion may be required in severe cases). See also kyphos; kyphoscoliosis.

l... kyphosis

n. *union of the fragments of a fracture in an unsatisfactory position. It occurs if fracture *reduction is inadequate or the splintage is inadequate to maintain the bone fragments in the correct position until healing occurs. Malunion may require surgical correction with *osteotomy.... malunion

n. the surgical removal of a bone or a piece of bone. See also osteotomy.... ostectomy

n. lateral (sideways) deviation of the backbone, caused by congenital or acquired abnormalities of the vertebrae, muscles, and nerves. Treatment may require spinal braces and, in cases of severe deformity, surgical correction by fusion or *osteotomy. See also kyphosis; kyphoscoliosis.... scoliosis

(osteoarthrosis) n. a degenerative disease of joints resulting in loss of the articular cartilage, remodelling of adjacent bone, and inflammation. It can be primary or it can occur secondarily to abnormal load to the joint or damage to the cartilage from inflammation or trauma. The joints become painful and stiff with restricted movement. Osteoarthritis is recognized on X-ray by narrowing of the joint space (due to loss of cartilage) and the presence of *osteophytes, *osteosclerosis, and cysts in the bone. The condition is treated with analgesics, by reducing the load to the joint by weight loss or the use of a walking stick, or surgically by *osteotomy, *arthrodesis, or *arthroplasty.... osteoarthritis