What is Coxa Vara?
An X-ray of the hips showing a normal left side and coxa vara on the right side.
Coxa vara is a rare problem with the hip. It happens when the ball of the hip (called the femoral head) and the top of the thigh bone don’t grow the same way. This makes the hip look bent, like a shepherd’s crook.
People with coxa vara often walk with a limp. One leg may be shorter than the other, and it can be hard to move the thigh out to the side. Doctors use X-rays to diagnose coxa vara.
Treatment depends on what caused coxa vara and how severe it is. Sometimes, surgery is needed to fix the hip and help it function better.
