Your knee joint is made up of three bones: the femur (thigh bone), the tibia (shin bone), and the patella (kneecap). Imagine a line going straight down your leg from your hip to your ankle. This line helps us understand how your leg bones should line up. Keeping your leg bones in line along this imaginary line is important for normal movement and to prevent problems. No one part of your knee should be seeing more of your body weight than another to prevent

Knee malalignment happens when your knee isn’t in its normal position along this line. There are two main types of knee malalignment:

1. Genu Valgum (Knock-Knees): This is when your knees bend inward and touch each other when your legs are straight.
2. Genu Varus (Bow-Legged): This is when your knees curve outward, creating a gap between your lower legs when your feet are together.

Both of these problems can affect how your knee moves and may increase your risk of injuries or conditions like arthritis over time.

Knee malalignment can be caused by several factors:

• Genetics: It might run in your family.
• Developmental Issues: Problems that happen while you’re growing.
• Nutritional Deficiencies: Not getting enough of certain nutrients.
• Medical Conditions: Issues like loose ligaments, muscle imbalances, or injuries.

Here’s how you might notice knee malalignment:

• Knee Alignment: When you stand with your feet together, you might see your knees bow out (varus) or bend inward (valgus).
• Gait Abnormalities: Your walking or running might look different.
• Pain and Discomfort: Varus alignment can cause pain on the inside of your knee (the medial side), while valgus alignment can cause pain on the outside (the lateral side).
• Instability: You might feel like your knee isn’t stable, especially when you’re putting weight on it.

To diagnose knee malalignment, doctors will:

1. Examine Your History and Symptoms: They’ll ask about your pain and movement.
2. Do a Physical Exam: They’ll check how your knee moves and feels.
3. Take X-rays: To see how your knee is aligned.
4. Use MRI or CT Scans: These might be needed to look at the soft tissues and bones in more detail.

Complications of Untreated Knee Malalignment

If knee malalignment isn’t treated, it can lead to several problems:

1. Osteoarthritis: Over time, knee malalignment can cause extra wear and tear on the knee joint. This occurs because one area of the knee is seeing great forces and pressure because of the malalignment. This can lead to osteoarthritis, a condition where the joint becomes painful, swollen, and less able to move.
2. Meniscal Tears: The menisci are cartilage pieces in the knee that act as shock absorbers. Malalignment can put uneven pressure on these cartilages, making them more likely to tear.
3. Ligament Injuries: Malalignment can make your knee less stable, increasing the risk of ligament injuries, such as tears in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
4. Cartilage Damage: Misalignment can create extra pressure on certain parts of the knee, leading to damage in the cartilage. This can cause pain, swelling, and further joint problems.
5. Gait Abnormalities: People with untreated knee malalignment often change how they walk to avoid pain. This can stress other joints, like your hips or lower back, leading to pain and problems there too.
6. Functional Limitations: Chronic pain and instability from untreated malalignment can make it hard to move around and do everyday activities or play sports. This can significantly affect your quality of life.

Taking care of knee malalignment and following your treatment plan is important to prevent these complications and improve your overall health.