Which strap configuration corrects valgus?

• A. Medial strap buckles around lateral upright and corrects valgus
• B. Lateral strap buckles around medial upright and corrects varus
• C. Lateral strap buckles around medial upright and corrects valgus
• D. Medial strap buckles around lateral upright and corrects valgus

Answer: (D)

Valgus deformity means the knee tends to angle inward toward the midline, so correcting it requires a varus-producing force at the joint. The way to achieve that with a brace is to have the medial strap tighten and pass around the lateral upright. When tightened, this configuration pulls the knee medially (toward the midline) and creates a varus moment at the knee, counteracting the valgus alignment. Other strap setups either pull the knee in the wrong direction or don’t generate the necessary corrective moment, so this medial strap around the lateral upright best accomplishes the correction.