Torsional Deformity Masquerading as Knee Instability - Takeaways - MDSpire

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

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  • 1

    A 15-year-old girl experienced chronic knee pain and gait dysfunction despite normal imaging and evaluations by multiple orthopedic surgeons.

  • 2

    Imaging revealed significant axial malalignment, including 44° of femoral anteversion and 35° of external tibial torsion.

  • 3

    Three-dimensional gait analysis identified dynamic abnormalities, including excessive knee varus and hyperextension during stance.

  • 4

    The patient underwent combined femoral and tibial torsional osteotomies, resulting in resolution of pain and normalization of gait mechanics.

  • 5

    Lower extremity torsional abnormalities are an underrecognized cause of anterior knee pain and atypical gait patterns in adolescents.

Original Source(s)

Torsional Deformity Masquerading as Knee Instability

  • by Kathryn Wighton

  • February 13, 2026

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