Coxa vara

Normally the angle between the head of femur and shaft is 120° - 135°. An angle below 120° is coxa vara.

Causes:

1)   Trauma

2)   Congenital

3)      Paget’s disease (also known as osteitis deformans ,a chronic disease of bones, occurring in the elderly and most frequently affecting the skull, backbone, pelvis, and long bones. There is 1% risk to develop osteosarcoma. Treatment is with bisphosphonates or calcitonin)

4)      Perthes disease (avascular necrosis, decrease supply to the epiphyseal plate of femur or necrosis of head of femur due to interruption of its blood supply)

5)      Osteomyelitis (inflammation of bone due to infection)

6)      Osteogenesis imperfecta (fragilitas ossium is a congenital disorder in which the bones are usually brittle and fragile. No treatment, there is abnormal; collagen type I, type II, type III, and type IV. Patient involving type I, IV live normal, with type II die early and with type III has severe disease.)

7)   Tumors

Symptoms:

In unilateral condition the limb may be small. There will be gait problem.

Diagnosis:

Radiological:

o   X – rays

o   MRI/CT scan

Treatment:

·         Varus Osteotomy

·         Hip dynamic screws

·         One should identify causes and if possible should be treated

·         Physiotherapy

Posted in: Surgery; Lower Limb and Pelvic Girdle