Doctors have very little time with each patient these days so it pays to be able to speak a little of their language. Of course you should always try and clarify any points you do not understand before making major decisions but this is easier said than done.
'Varus' is a term used by the medical profession to describe joints that form an angle different from the usual. It does not apply only to the knee. Varus means that the part of the body furthest away from the torso is angled towards the midline position. In simple terms, if the knees are described as varus, they are 'Bowlegged'
Varus knees indicate that the arthritis is mainly on the inside of the knee. If the doctor says your knees have become more varus between visits, the degenerative process is progressing.
Due to natural variation, knees come in a range of angles than can still be 'normal' for the individual. What is important is when the angle changes over time. This angulation can begin before the onset of other symptoms such as pain. When knees get to the stage that they require surgery, the good news is that surgeons can correct this angulation (up to a point). It is common for patients to have legs straighter after their operation than they have had for years.
It is also important to note that the initial stages of degeneration can occur very slowly over a number of years. As the disease process progresses however, there can be rapid advances in degeneration in relatively short periods of time with angulation increasing markedly in the knee.
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