femoral anteversion
An inward twisting of the femur that causes the hip joint to face more forward than normal, commonly resulting in in-toeing gait patterns in children.
Full Definition
Femoral anteversion refers to the forward orientation of the femoral neck relative to the femoral condyles in the transverse plane. Normal anteversion decreases from approximately 30-40 degrees at birth to 10-15 degrees in adults through remodeling during growth. Excessive femoral anteversion is a common cause of in-toeing in children, often accompanied by compensatory external tibial torsion. Children with significant anteversion typically present with a tendency to sit in the 'W' position, internal hip rotation greater than 70 degrees, and in-toeing during walking. Most cases improve spontaneously with growth and do not require treatment. Surgical correction through femoral derotational osteotomy is reserved for severe cases with functional limitations, cosmetic concerns, or persistent symptoms beyond age 8-10 years. The condition is more common in girls and often has a familial pattern.
Usage
Usage note: Quantify degree of anteversion when known; distinguish from other causes of in-toeing.
In Context
- "Clinical examination revealed excessive femoral anteversion with 80 degrees of internal hip rotation." — Orthopedic consultation note
- "The patient's in-toeing gait was attributed to bilateral femoral anteversion of 35 degrees." — Gait analysis report