malalignment
noun
mal·align·ment
ˌmal-ə-ˈlīn-mənt
: incorrect or imperfect alignment (as of teeth or bones at a joint)
With a large enough area of cartilage loss or with bony remodeling, the joint becomes tilted, and malalignment develops. Malalignment is the most potent risk factor for structural deterioration of the joint …—David T. Felton, The New England Journal of Medicine
Cite this Entry
“Malalignment.” Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/malalignment. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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