Varus
Pronunciation: VAIR-us
A positional term describing an inward (medial) deviation of a distal body segment relative to the proximal segment, commonly used in orthotic descriptions of the knee, ankle, and foot.
Full Definition
Varus describes an angulation in which the distal segment of a limb or joint is deviated toward the midline of the body. In orthotic contexts, it is applied to conditions such as genu varum ('bow-leg'), hindfoot varus, and forefoot varus. It is the direct clinical opposite of valgus. Varus deformities of the knee are associated with medial compartment osteoarthritis, and lateral-wedge insoles may be prescribed as a conservative orthotic intervention. Editors should be alert to varus/valgus transpositions, which represent a substantive clinical error.
Usage
Usage note: Among the most frequently confused terms in clinical proofreading. When in doubt, cross-reference anatomical diagrams or seek clinical clarification rather than assume a term is correct.
In Context
- "A medial heel wedge was prescribed to correct the patient's right hindfoot varus during mid-stance." — Orthotic intervention note
- "The terms 'varus' and 'valgus' appear to be transposed in paragraph three; please verify against the clinical images." — Proofreading annotation