Knock knees (Genu Valgum)
In knock knees (genu valgum) or also called tibia valga, the lower legs are at an outward angle, such that when the knees are touching, the ankles are separated. 'Genu' is Latin for knee and 'valgus' means bent outwards. The opposite condition, where the knees turn outwards, is called bow legs ( genu varum ).
Most children develop a slight knock-kneed stance by the time they are 2 or 3 years old, often with significant separation at the ankles when the knees are touching. This is part of normal development and often persists through age 5 or 6, at which time the legs begin to straighten fully. By puberty, most children can stand with the knees and ankles touching (without forcing the position).
Knock knees can also develop as a result of disease processes. Most often the cause has already been diagnosed and the knock knees are recognized as a symptom of the condition.
Although mostly doctors say about knock knee in children, adults can also suffer from knock knee. In a some cases, the knock knee is severe and poor posture may start to affect the hip joints, back or feet, causing a limp or problems with walking. This could also lead to arthritis of the knee joint in later life.
Knock knee causes, associated with childhood:
- "Rickets" - deficiency of vitamin D. A bone development is softer than normal, this causes and the legs start to bow.
- Scurvy - A vitamin C deficiency, which affects the development of bones and joints.
- In adults, an uncorrected fracture of the shin bone, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis or Paget's disease (a condition that affects bone growth) can distort the ends of the bones and cause knock knee.
Ladisten offers knock knee treatment by means of knock knee correction surgery and appliance of Ilizarov-Veklcih device. The surgery lasts for 40 min and recovery is considerably quick.
You shall review the option of fixing knock knee because of possible complications that may arise:
- Difficulty walking
- Poor self-esteem and inferiority complex due to look of knock knee
- Knock knees can lead to early arthritis of the knee
Surgery and following treatment of knock knee can correct severe deformities safely and prevent the need for joint replacement in the future.
Please contact us to know about knock knee ( genu valgum ) correction at Ladisten.
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