Inwardly pointing patellae during standing is most commonly caused by which deformity?

Inwardly pointing patellae during standing is most commonly caused by which deformity?

• A. Weak Vastus Medialis
• B. Genu Varum
• C. Medial Tibial Torsion
• D. Excessive Femoral Anteversion

Answer: (D)

Excessive femoral anteversion causes the femur to rotate inward. When the thigh is turned medially, the line of pull from the quadriceps shifts, guiding the patella to track toward the midline and appear to point inward when standing. This inward orientation of the patella is a classic result of the hip’s rotational alignment rather than a knee-only issue. Weak vastus medialis would more likely allow lateral patellar drift, not inward tracking, while genu varum and medial tibial torsion affect overall leg alignment in different ways and don’t primarily produce inward-pointing patellae. So, the inward patellae in standing most commonly arise from excessively rotated femurs at the hip.

Excessive femoral anteversion causes the femur to rotate inward. When the thigh is turned medially, the line of pull from the quadriceps shifts, guiding the patella to track toward the midline and appear to point inward when standing. This inward orientation of the patella is a classic result of the hip’s rotational alignment rather than a knee-only issue. Weak vastus medialis would more likely allow lateral patellar drift, not inward tracking, while genu varum and medial tibial torsion affect overall leg alignment in different ways and don’t primarily produce inward-pointing patellae. So, the inward patellae in standing most commonly arise from excessively rotated femurs at the hip.