A fixed externally rotated hip increases the weight bearing at the inner side of the knee predisposing to medial meniscus problems and creating a torsion on the lower leg bone (tibia) eventually leading to ankle misalignment and the progression of flat foot.
A fixed internally rotated hip predisposes to varus knee deformity increasing the biomechanical stress on lateral side of the knee resulting in an early lateral meniscus degeneration and predisposing to inversion ankle sprains.
Assessment
Clinical evaluation of the pelvic and hip alignment as well as visualizing the pattern of compensation presence on the lower extremity.
X-ray analyses
Anterior – Posterior (AP) pelvic/hip view is essential to evaluate the degree of misalignment involved in this deformity.
Treatment protocol
Specific adjustments to the pelvic and hip joints
Stretching and strengthening of specific hip muscle groups
Depending on the level of deformity and chronicity, minimum 6 weeks of care is advisable to resolve this condition.