The skiing sequelae of tibial torsion

The purpose of this communication is to support the following hypotheses: 1. That variations in tibial torsion are functionally important in parallel skiing. 2. That external tibial torsion in particular is a "deformity" that can interfere markedly with parallel skiing. 3. That even normal individuals have greater external torsion of the right tibia than the left, and that this normal difference may correlate with the preference of many skiers for traversing and maneuvering primarily in one direction. 4. That a relatively small difference in the anatomic alignment of the lower extremities may entail substantial alterations in balance and in distribution of forces in the skier and that these differences should be searched out by centers preparing to equip skiers with bindings and skiis in an attempt to further refine the skier-ski linkage. These hypotheses derive from a blend of the personal experience of the principal author and a detailed search of the English and French literature of the past century relating to rotational alignment, motion, and control of the lower extremity in general, and to tibial torsion in particular.