Incorrect limb alignment

It is only the correct position of the joints in relation to each other that makes it possible for us to move around optimally and in best case scenarios, to walk well over a lifetime. However, in many people, changes occur to the alignment of the limbs, e.g. bow legs and knock knees, which may arise through skeletal disease, rickets, metabolic and endocrine disorders, obesity, as well as through injury or ligament weakness. The consequential incorrect positioning of the joints can affect the hip, knee and ankle joints. It leads to uneven stress on the joint surfaces and can cause a wide variety of chronic joint pains / problems through to cartilage damage and premature wear and tear (osteoarthritis). Thorough examinations help us to provide an accurate diagnosis and with it, early correction.

Symptoms: On the surface, incorrect limb alignment appears to be only a cosmetic problem. Often however, there are indefinite muscle or bone pains. As a result of wear and tear that occurs, pain arises later on in the incorrectly stressed joint. The typical symptoms are present in cases where osteoarthritis already exists.

Therapy: In a slight deviation, orthopaedic shoe inserts and/or shoe sole correctors, improve the nature of the stress on the joint. After the growth phase has ended, surgical correction (osteotomy) may be a possibility where incorrect positioning is severe. This often enables good, long-term functioning of the joints even where osteoarthritis has already occurred. If there is advanced osteoarthritis, a stiffening of the joint (arthrodesis), e.g. on the metatarsophalangeal joint or a substitute joint such as hip or knee prosthesis , can ensure the analgesic functioning of the joint. New surgical techniques allow full load capacity immediately after the operation.