Femoral anteversion

Written by Dr Sheila Strover on March 14, 2025

Femoral anteversion is an inward rotation of the femur bone from the upper neck part of the femur. Page updated April 2024 by Dr Sheila Strover (Clinical Editor)

What is the cause of femoral anteversion?

Although a fracture may result in femoral anteversion, the condition is usually just something one is born with.

It is quite common in children, most of whom simply grow out of it, but if femoral anteversion persists into adolescence it may cause anterior knee pain and problems with gait.

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Is femoral anteversion a disability?

Congenital femoral anteversion may be asymptomatic, but cause clumsiness of gait and sporting activities.

When severe it may lead to hip osteoarthritis, anterior knee pain and stress on the cruciate ligaments.

"....Increased femoral anteversion may occur with hip internal rotation and valgus knee alignment upon landing and is considered a risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament injury...."

Masaaki Kaneko et al

"....The only procedure that corrects abnormal version is a femoral derotational osteotomy. Presently, it is only performed for patients with abnormal version causing significant debilitation...."

Emily A Parker et al

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Relationship of femoral anteversion to miserable malalignment

In the condition referred to as miserable malalignment, there are rotational deformities of both the femur and the tibia.

Although at rest the knee may point forwards, in fact this is because the femur is rotating inwards while the tibia is rotating outwards.

"....in children, adolescents, and young adult patients, the recognition of lower limb torsional malalignment is often overlooked...."

Ahmed A Elsheikh et al

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Valgus, Rotational osteotomy, Cruciate, Miserable malalignment

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