Main description:

The varus knee has a group of bone and ligament abnormalities that must be addressed to correct the deformity. The mechanical axis of the femur is tilted medially relative to the long axis of the tibia. The distal femoral surface usually remains in valgus alignment to the long axis of the femur. Most of the varus deformity is caused by deficiency in the medial tibial plateau. The deep and superficial medial collateral ligaments are contracted and deformed by osteophytes.

Contents:

1. Introduction.- 2. Patella.- 3. Posterior Cruciate Ligament.- 3.1. Tight Posterior Cruciate Ligament.- 3.2. Release of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament.- 4. Varus Knee.- 4.1. Tight Medially in Flexion, Loose in Extension.- 4.2. Tight Medially in Extension, Balanced in Flexion.- 4.3. Tight Medially in Flexion and Extension.- 4.4. Tight Popliteus Tendon.- 4.5. Compensatory Lateral Release - Extension Only.- 4.6. Compensatory Lateral Release - Flexion and Extension.- 4.7. Pitfalls of the Varus Knee.- 5. Valgus Knee.- 5.1. Tight Laterally Flexion and Extension.- 5.2. Tight Laterally in Extension, Normal Stability in Flexion.- 5.3. Tight Laterally in Flexion, Normal Stability in Extension.- 5.4. Deficient Posterior Cruciate Ligament.- 5.5. Pitfalls of the Valgus Knee.- 5.5.1. Release of Extension-only Stabilizers - Tight in Flexion and Extension.- 5.5.2. Release of Extension-only Structures - Tight in Flexion and Extension.- 5.5.3. Retaining Lateral Collateral Ligament - Cutting Flexion Space Guided by Tensioners.- 5.5.4. Using the Deficient Lateral Condyle as Reference for Bone Resection.- 6. Flexion Contracture and Femoral Sizing.- 6.1. Varus Knee with Flexion Contracture.- 6.2. Pitfalls with Flexion Contracture.- 7. Recurvatum.- 8. Summary.