Legacy JRH alignment guide
Understanding Limb Deformity: Varus, Valgus, And Post-Traumatic Challenges
Varus, valgus, and post-traumatic limb deformities can affect walking, pain, arthritis progression, implant planning, and whether joint preservation or replacement is realistic.
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Patient education
Useful guidance before the visit, clearer decisions during the visit.
01
Varus and valgus in plain language
Varus commonly describes bowing inward; valgus commonly describes angling outward. Either can change how load travels through the hip, knee, ankle, and foot.
02
Why deformity changes the plan
Alignment affects pain location, ligament balance, cartilage wear, implant positioning, and whether a partial or total replacement is appropriate.
03
Post-traumatic deformity
Fractures, malunion, growth issues, and prior hardware can create complex alignment problems that require more detailed imaging and planning.
04
How I use this guide in a real visit
I do not expect patients to memorize every detail. The useful part is noticing what sounds like your situation, then bringing that question into the office so we can apply it to your X-rays, exam, and goals.
05
What changes the recommendation
Knee recommendations change when weight-bearing X-rays show advanced arthritis, when swelling and stiffness are taking over, when nonsurgical care is no longer holding, or when medical risk and home support make waiting safer.
Related patient trust
Knee patients want to know if it is time.
Most people are not looking for a sales pitch. They want to know whether injections, therapy, partial knee, total knee, or robotic planning makes sense for their knee.
01
Partial and total knee replacement guidance
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Robotic-assisted planning when it fits
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Recovery help for swelling, motion, golf, hiking, and walking
Related next steps
Make it personal
A guide helps. Imaging, exam, and goals make the plan real.
Bring your symptoms, records, and questions into a focused consultation so this information can be applied to your case.
