Congenital Coxa Vara

Congenital coxa vara is a hip deformity a child has when they are born. It occurs when the angle between the neck and head (ball) of the femur (thigh bone) and the shaft of the femur is reduced. This causes shortening of the leg and a limp.

Causes

Congenital coxa vara is a genetic disease, meaning a child is born with the condition.

Symptoms

Common signs and symptoms related to congenital coxa vara are:

• Limp
• Leg length differences
• Limited ability to bring the thigh out to the side

Diagnosis

Your doctor may be able to diagnose congenital coxa vara after your child is born during a physical examination. Your doctor may recommend one or a combination of the following tests to determine the extent of your child’s condition:

• Imaging tests such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans

Treatment

Possible non-surgical treatments our doctors may offer or recommend to treat your child’s coxa vara include:

• Extension splint
• Decreased physical activity

If our doctors and surgeons believe surgery is the best option for your child, we may recommend <add names of common surgery types used to treat this type of condition.

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Hip Disorders