What is Valgus Knee Collapse and How Could it Affect Me?

Identifying the what and why of valgus collapse
(Part 1: Identifying the what of valgus collapse)
It seems as if every lower extremity overuse ailment is associated to some
degree with valgus collapse. ACL tears? Check. Patellofemoral Pain? Check.
Illiotibial band pain? Check. Tibial Stress Fractures? Check. As a result a
number of research studies have begun to examine what exactly valgus
collapse is and what factors are associated with valgus. One of the primary
researchers in this area is John Willson, PT, PhD in the Department of Physical
Therapy at the University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse. Research conducted by Dr.
Willson has led us to a better understanding of this pathological movement.
First, it is important to understand what components of movement make up
the valgus collapse construct. Valgus collapse is typically measured by viewing
the frontal plane motion and thus creating a frontal plane projection angle.
however, just because we see the picture shows frontal plane motion does that suggest the motion is
coming from the frontal plane in the body. Even when you place the knee joint in 40 degrees of flexion
(typical of running at midstance) the available frontal plane motion is minimal. As a result we need to
understand what are the primary motions associated with this pattern.
An initial study in this area by Willson and colleagues correlated the twodimensional
frontal plane projection angle to three-dimensional data of the
lower extremity during a single leg squat in 40 runners half of whom had
patellofemoral pain. The researchers observed that the strongest correlates
of the frontal plane projection angle were the frontal plane motion at the hip
and transverse plane motion at the knee (external rotation) and hip (internal
rotation). Not surprisingly, there was not a significant relationship for the
frontal plane angle at the knee. Additional analysis of the significant
relationships revealed that the primary factors associated with the valgus
collapse posture were contralateral pelvic drop, femoral adduction and
femoral internal rotation. While I imagine this result does not surprise
anyone it provides support and directions for areas with which to intervene
when aiming to alter valgus collapse.
As a result of this study we know have a better idea of what is associated with
valgus collapse. Now the follow up question is what needs to change to
reduce valgus collapse? Is it just a strength issue, is it a muscle activity issue,
is it a proprioceptive issue? Well, it all likelihood it depends on the individual
who needs the training and it is important to systematically screen out all of
these issues. That being said through controlled research studies we can
begin to understand what are the primary factors associated with this
pattern. Examining the factors associated with valgus collapse will be
highlighted in the 2nd part of this series before we begin to take a look at
some motion analysis case studies in this area as well.

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