What is considered excessive genu valgum?

What is considered excessive genu valgum?

• A. <170
• B. 170-180
• C. >180
• D. 180-190

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that the knee’s straight alignment is about 180 degrees when the leg is fully extended. Genu valgum means the knee angles inward, so the measured angle between the femur and tibia drops below 180. The more valgus present, the smaller that angle becomes. In this context, an angle less than 170 degrees is considered excessive because it reflects a significant inward kneecap alignment beyond normal variation. Angles in the range of 170–180 degrees would be near-normal or only mild valgus, not excessive. An angle greater than 180 would suggest something other than genu valgum, such as hyperextension or a different deformity, and isn’t the pattern seen with excessive knock-knee.

The key idea is that the knee’s straight alignment is about 180 degrees when the leg is fully extended. Genu valgum means the knee angles inward, so the measured angle between the femur and tibia drops below 180. The more valgus present, the smaller that angle becomes. In this context, an angle less than 170 degrees is considered excessive because it reflects a significant inward kneecap alignment beyond normal variation.

Angles in the range of 170–180 degrees would be near-normal or only mild valgus, not excessive. An angle greater than 180 would suggest something other than genu valgum, such as hyperextension or a different deformity, and isn’t the pattern seen with excessive knock-knee.