Miserable malalignment

Written by Dr Sheila Strover on March 14, 2025

Miserable malalignment is a specific combination of rotational deformities in the leg that may lead to patellar (kneecap) pain and instability.

A view from above showing the deformity. - the foot actually points forward...

Miserable malalignment

What is miserable malalignment?

In miserable malalignment usually the femur is rotated outwards, but the tibia rotated inwards, so the kneecaps face towards one another (squinting or winking patellae).

There is excessive force on the patella towards the lateral side. From the front, if the feet are aligned together the kneecaps appear to 'squint' towards one another, and if the kneecaps are aligned together, the feet are forced to turn outwards.

"....abnormal limb torsion is probably the most overlooked factor in patellofemoral joint pathology...."

Vicente Sanchis-Alfonso et al

"....there is no consensus as to how to measure torsion...."

Vicente Sanchis-Alfonso et al

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Symptoms associated with torsional deformity affecting the knee

Symptoms causing alarm in patients with torsional deformity around the knee include patellar instability (with subluxation or dislocation events) or anterior knee pain (pain at the front of the knee.

Previous dislocations may have resulted in tears of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL), which will make the patient even more susceptible to instability. Associated trochlear dysplasia, with a flattened groove under the patella, or a high-riding patella alta, will further aggravate the situation.

However, a patient may be asymptomatic, concerned only with physical appearance, and such patients are usually referred to cosmetic orthopaedic units.

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How is miserable malalignment managed?

Most cases are managed without surgery. Surgery, when indicated, is usually a de-rotation osteotomy of femur, tibia of both.

Options may include plating of the bones, or an external fixator where pins are inserted into the bones through the skin and gradual adjustments are made to the rotation as the bone breaks heal with callus.

"....Currently, a clear consensus has not been reached regarding the torsion threshold to indicate surgical correction. In recent studies, the mean extent of torsional correction ranged from 11° to 25° for the femur and from 11° to 36° for the tibia. Therefore, torsional osteotomy might be considered in symptomatic patients with an increase in femoral or tibial torsion of at least 10° above normative values....."

Peter Balcarek et al

"....The results show that double level torsional osteotomy is an effective treatment option for patients with patellar dislocation or subluxation associated to torsional deformities of femur and tibia. The patients achieved joint stability through the procedure....."

Jens Liße et al

With regard to external fixators "....the time in the frame may offer an opportunity for the patient to adapt to walking with the patella pointing forwards, as most will have walked with the patella squinting inwards for many years...[but] there are difficulties associated with using an external fixator, such as pin site infection and soft tissue tethering, and the social and psychological implications of having a frame on a limb for several months...."

Ahmed A Elsheikh et al

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A-Z Keywords

Tibial torsion, Femoral torsion, Femoral anteversion, Trochlear dysplasia, Patella alta, Anterior knee pain, MPFL, Subluxation, Patellofemoral dislocation, Osteotomy, Rotational osteotomy, External fixator, Squinting patellae

Contributions by experts

Dr Ronald Grelsamer - Course - Patellofemoral pain

Forum discussions

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