In rare instances knock knees may be an indication for an existing bone condition in particular when the condition is first noticed in a child who is 6 or more. A majority of young children have knock knees at some extent over a long time, but in certain children, it’s more obvious. Knock knees deformity are a normal an aspect of children’s development and growth. This condition is somewhat more common in females, however males can also suffer from it. Bazzi.Knock knees (genu valgum) is a condition where the knees turn inward or inside, while the ankles are separated. Bracing or orthopedic shoes may also be recommended,” says Dr. Less often, the bone may need to be cut and re-aligned. It involves placing small plates and screws at certain growth plates so that growth may be restricted in areas that are growing faster than others. Surgery is usually done at about age 10 or 11, before the child stops growing. In rare cases surgery may be recommended for children who have extreme knock knees that cause pain or difficulty walking, and may develop arthritis later in life. “We may recommend certain exercises to strengthen the knee and make it stronger. Knock knees are usually not treated because the child often grows out of the condition. “Treatment may be recommended because bowlegs can cause osteoarthritis or trouble walking as the child ages,” says Dr. In circumstances where bowlegs are caused by diseases or abnormal bone development, a physician may recommend treatment such as orthotic braces, special shoes, casts, or surgery if the condition worsens. Bazzi says most children with bowlegs do not require treatment. These can include abnormal bone development, Blount’s disease, fractures that have not healed properly, lead or fluoride poisoning and rickets, caused by a lack of vitamin D,” says Ahmed Bazzi, D.O., pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, part of the Detroit Medical Center.ĭr. “If a child has this condition after age three we need to evaluate the child for illnesses that can cause bowlegs. If the bowed legs are still present, the child may need to see a physician for further followup. Bowed legs begin to straighten once the child starts to walk and the legs begin to bear weight (about 12 to 18 months old).īy the time a child reaches age three or four, they develop a knock-kneed configuration, in which their legs angle inwards.īy around age three, the child can usually stand with the ankles apart and the knees just touching. Infants are born bowlegged because of their folded position in the mother's womb. For children under 18 months of age, the conditions is considered normal, as are 'knock knees' when the knees point inward. When your child is born you may notice that he or she has bowlegs, a condition in which the knees stay wide apart when a person stands with the feet and ankles together. The waitingĪrea is filled with toys, a child-friendly computer station as well as other amenities. It offers detailed patient and parent education by a dedicated and highly trained pediatric orthopedic nurse as well as multimedia teaching presentations. The department is very sensitive to the questions of young patients and their families.

Get more information about other common conditions treated in pediatric orthopedics. Scoliosis and other spine and bone deformities.Growth plate injuries, stress injuries and fractures.Services include diagnosis as well as surgical and non-operative treatment of several conditions including: The Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the Children's Hospital of Michigan offers comprehensive care of all aspects of pediatric/child orthopedics, including the treatment of traumatic, reconstructive, degenerative and congenital orthopedic conditions. News & World Report'sĢ022-23 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings. Pediatric Orthopedics program at the Children's Hospital of Michigan at the Detroit Medical Center is ranked among America's best in U.S.