Questions
2 questions per paper
Difficulty
Medium
Importance
High yield for BPT and medical university exams
Overview
Orthopedic deformities focus on the structural anomalies of the skeletal system, particularly in the spine and lower limbs. Understanding these conditions is crucial for clinical diagnosis and rehabilitative assessment, making them a staple in university theory and viva examinations.
Scoliosis and Kyphosis
Scoliosis is an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, while kyphosis refers to an excessive outward curvature of the thoracic region. These spinal deformities are assessed via clinical observation and radiographic imaging to determine the Cobb angle.
- Scoliosis defined by lateral curvature > 10 degrees
- Kyphosis is an exaggeration of thoracic posterior convexity
- Cobb angle is the gold standard for measurement
- Adam's forward bend test is used for clinical screening
- Idiopathic scoliosis is the most common form
Congenital Dislocation of Hip (CDH) and Clubfoot
CDH, now known as Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH), involves the instability of the hip joint in neonates. Clubfoot (Talipes Equinovarus) is a congenital structural abnormality of the foot that requires early intervention for correction.
- Barlow and Ortolani tests are diagnostic for DDH
- Talipes Equinovarus involves four components: Equinus, Varus, Adductus, Cavus
- Ponseti method is the standard conservative treatment for Clubfoot
- Pavlik harness is effective for DDH in early stages
- Ultrasound is preferred for hip screening in infants under 6 months
Genu Varum and Genu Valgum
These terms describe angular deformities of the knee joint in the frontal plane. Genu varum refers to bow-leggedness, where the knees are apart, while genu valgum refers to knock-knees, where the knees touch but the ankles remain apart.
- Genu varum is characterized by lateral angulation of the leg
- Genu valgum is characterized by medial angulation of the leg
- Mechanical axis deviation is used for radiological assessment
- Physiological bowing is normal in infants up to age 2
- Rickets is a common systemic cause of these deformities
Formula Sheet
Cobb Angle calculation for Scoliosis magnitude
Tibio-femoral angle measurement for knee alignment
Exam Tip
Always mention the specific diagnostic tests (like Ortolani/Barlow or Adam's test) to guarantee high marks in short-answer clinical questions.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing the direction of angulation in Genu Varum versus Genu Valgum
- Failing to list all four components of Talipes Equinovarus during descriptive questions
- Misidentifying the Ortolani test as a maneuver for reduction rather than relocation
More Revision Notes
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