Torsional Deformity Masquerading as Knee Instability

Persistent knee pain and gait disturbance exposed an overlooked lower extremity diagnosis.

By
Kathryn Wighton
February 13, 2026
3 min

MDSpire News

Objective:

To investigate the underlying cause of chronic anterior knee pain and gait dysfunction in a 15-year-old patient with normal knee imaging.

Approach:

Key Findings:

Lower extremity torsional abnormalities (LETA) were identified as the likely cause of symptoms.
Three-dimensional gait analysis revealed varus and hyperextension during stance.
Surgical correction led to normalization of hip rotation and gait mechanics.

Interpretation:

LETA are an underrecognized cause of anterior knee pain and atypical gait patterns in adolescents, necessitating awareness among clinicians.

Limitations:

The assessment could not establish a definitive causal relationship between torsional deformities and symptoms.

Conclusion:

This case highlights the importance of considering rotational malalignment in patients with anterior knee pain and emphasizes the role of advanced imaging and gait analysis in diagnosis.