Effects of genu varum deformity on postural stability

It is well known that any balance control disturbance can increase the risk of injury during sport activities. Knee deformities such as genu valgum and genu varum may perturb the line of gravity passing the lower limb joints and so disturb dynamic and static balance indices. This study was designed to investigate the effects of genu valgum and genu varum deformity on the static and dynamic balance indices. 90 non-athletic female university students (age: 21.8±1.75 years, weight: 55.8±9.6 kg, height: 161.3±11.9 cm) were assigned in one of the 3 experimental groups; normal knee (n=30), genu varum (n=30) and genu valgum (n=30), according to their knee conditions. Static and dynamic overall stability index (OSI), anteroposterior stability index (APSI), mediolateral stability index (MLSI) and falling risk were evaluated by the Biodex balance system. No significant difference was seen among these groups in terms of dynamic and static OSI and APSI, while significantly higher falling risk and lower stability was found in the genu varum group compared to the normal groups in term of dynamic and static MLSI (p<0.05). The results showed that genu varum deformity may increase the normal postural sway in the mediolateral direction and also increase falling risk.