Femur head angles Flashcards
What does the femur head angle typically do throughout life?
naturally changes through the lifespan of an individual
What is the normal angle for adults?
between 120-135
What is the typical angle for children?
upper range of 120-135
What is the typical range for the elderly?
lower range of 120-135
What is coxa vara?
less than 120 degrees
closer to the richt angle of the head/neck and shaft
What is coxa valga?
angle (>135°) is coxa valga (head and neck are closer to being in line with shaft)
What is produced if an abnormal femur angle is produce unilaterally?
positive trendelenburg sign
may be asymptomatic if bilateral
What is the valgus angle?
The angle of the femur from vertical
What happens because the femur is not vertical or in straight line with the tibia?
brings the feet closer to the midline, under the center of gravity, and reduces the load on the small glutes in counteracting pelvic tilt
What is a typical valgus angle from the long axis of the femur to vertical ?
170-175
in who is the valgus angle typically larger than 170-175 degrees?
often greater in women because of the more widely-spaced acetabula
What is genu varum?
small valgus angle
bow legs
What is genu valgum?
large valgus angle
knock knees
How is the valgus angle measured from the long axis of the femur to the medial?
typically 5-10 degrees.
What is the Q angle?
an alternative way to measure genu varum/valgum
How is the Q angle measured?
an imaginary line from the ASIS to the center of the superior border of patella, to the center of tibial tuberosity Q angle is assessed by deviation from a straight line
What is a large Q angle an indication of?
patellar dislocation
What is a normal Q angle?
Q<7 degrees
What is a mild pathology of the Q angle?
Q> 12 degrees
How do you treat a mild pathology of a Q angle? Q>12
lateral release of patellar retinaculum
What is a severe pathology of a Q angle?
Q > 20degrees
What is th entreatment of a severe pathology of a severe Q angle? Q >20
reorientation of the tibial tuberosity
What is important about he angle of the femur?
that it exists; that 5-10 degrees of femoral tilt—from vertical, and from the tibia—is normal
- sexual dimorphism; femoral tilt tends to be greater in women (why?)
- developmental changes; toddlers tend to be bowlegged
- deviations exist on either side
1. greater femoral tilt = genu valgum, “knock-knees”
2. smaller tilt, or laterally deflected = genum varum, “bowlegs”
- consequences of deviations: inefficient locomotion, risk of patellar subluxation
What are the distal transverse fibers of the vastus medualis sometimes referred to as?
vastus medialis obliquus (VMO
