 |
CUBITUS VALGUS |
In cubitus valgus, the forearm of the hand is typically held at an angle of more than 15 degrees, with the arm stretched to the side or the palm pointing forward. An injury or congenital abnormalities, such as seen in Turner syndrome or Noonan syndrome, may lead to cubitus valgus. Elbow (Latin: cubitus) valgus refers to an outwardly angled elbow.
As the name implies, cubitus valgus is a malformation wherein the forearm is tilted outward from the body while the arm is completely extended. When both arms are affected, it is called cubitus valgus bilateral.
With the palm facing up and the arm fully extended, cubitus valgus may occur if the arm is at an angle of more than 15 degrees away from the body (the carrying angle).
What factors predispose a person to the onset of cubitus valgus?
Cubitus valgus may result from either a birth defect or a break in the bone.
Cubitus valgus is often caused by either Turner syndrome or Noonan syndrome, two congenital disorders.
Women with Turner syndrome have just one X chromosome at birth. Many individuals with Turner syndrome also have additional symptoms, such as being small for their age and having a delayed onset of puberty. Hormone replacement therapy is often prescribed as a treatment option.
Another genetic condition that causes delayed growth is Noonan syndrome. While genetic mutations are frequently to blame, occasionally the exact reason is unknown, even to medical professionals. Although there is currently no known cure for Noonan syndrome, there are a variety of therapies available that may help lessen the severity of symptoms.
On the other hand, a carrying angle of 3 degrees to 29 degrees is still within the diagnostic range for cubitus valgus. Women have a more prominent case of this angle.
Complications may arise from the compressed nerve in the arm, making treatment necessary in some cases but not all.
What other problems might cubitus valgus cause?
Ulnar neuropathy often results from cubitus valgus. The ulnar nerve is one of three major nerves in your arm, and it is affected here.
Symptoms of numbness, tingling, and sometimes weakness are typical of ulnar neuropathy, which develops when the ulnar nerve is crushed or inflamed. Treatment often consists of rest and maybe the use of a brace. However, if these non-invasive methods fail to alleviate symptoms, surgical intervention may be required.
Another kind of ulnar neuropathy, delayed ulnar nerve palsy, may develop as a result of cubitus valgus. It is a long-term issue that often coincides with cubitus valgus.
The condition known as ulnar nerve palsy often worsens with time. Loss of feeling in the fingers (particularly the ring and little finger), numbness, tingling, burning, discomfort, and weakening are all possible side effects.
Ulnar nerve palsy symptoms may be treated with various approaches, including over-the-counter drugs and physical therapy.
Should cubitus valgus be left untreated?
There is no need for therapy of cubitus valgus if it is not causing ulnar nerve compression.
Osteotomy or fixation are the two main treatment options for cubitus valgus. When your doctor performs an osteotomy, he or she makes incisions in the bone to reshape it and alter its position in the body.
Osteotomies, namely distraction osteogenesis, have been used to successfully treat cubitus valgus in kids. As the name implies, this procedure lengthens a shorter bone. To separate the pieces of bone that have been sliced during surgery, a distractor is used. Once the distractor is removed, the bone will grow into the empty space, replacing the shorter bone with a longer one.
After an elbow fracture, your doctor will likely perform a procedure called "fixation," in which the broken ends of the bone are reconnected.
