Some children may have orthotic issues, which can cause them to have a difficult gait or pain in their joints.
Genu valgum is one of the most common orthopedic problems small children will experience before becoming adults.
What exactly are Knock Knees?
Knock knees refers to the point where the lower legs bend inwardly until the knees touch the ground. The ankles are still spread apart.
This lower leg defect is most common in children aged 2-7 years.
The knock knee defect usually resolves by the time the child is 7 or 8 years old.
My Knock Knee fix will explain why the genu valum doesn’t seem to straighten on its own after 8 years.
What are the Underlying Causes Of Knocked Knees?
To correct knock knees, you must first identify the root cause.
The most common causes of child knock knees are:
Skeletal Dysplasias
Skeletal dysplasia, a genetic disorder that affects bone development and inhibits cartilage growth, is called “Skeltal Dysplasia”.
Rickets
Rickets a metabolic bone disorder that affects mostly children who don’t get enough vitamin D in daily meals is called Rickets .
This disease causes bone abnormalities and softening, which can lead to knock knees or bowlegs.
Injuries
A fracture around or in the knees, for instance, can cause knock knees in children.
These underlying causes could be the reason why your child is unable to walk.
Diagnosis for Child Knock Knees
It’s a smart idea to consult an orthopedic surgeon to determine the root cause of your child’s knee pain.
The doctor will perform one or more of these diganostic tests to determine the cause of knock-knees in children:
To determine the cause of knock-knees, your child’s doctor may first check the position of his or her legs.
A tool that measures the distance between your child’s ankle bones and your child’s knees may be another method doctors might use to diagnose knock knees in children.
The doctor might request an Xray to examine your child’s gait and position. An X-ray will give the doctor images of your legs, from the ankles to the hips. This allows the doctor pinpoint the location of the inward curve in your legs to better understand the cause.
Knock Knees Treatment for Children
It is best to wait until your child is at least 7 years old before you start treatment for knock-knees in children.
If your child’s knock-knees don’t improve by age 7, it’s a good idea for them to begin looking into ways to straighten and treat their knock-knees.
Some of the most effective child knock-knee treatments are:
Orthotics
Orthotics are shoes that fit into shoes of children to support flat feet. This can also help straighten their legs.
After performing the diagnosis, your child’s doctor will decide if orthotics are necessary to fix their knock knees.
Braces
Another option for child knock knees treatment is to use knee braces.
Braces assist by keeping the child’s knees straight until they become conditioned to stay straightened and not turn inward.
A customized knee brace will be prescribed by your doctor for the knock-knee condition.
Exercises
Some children may also find that knock knee exercises can help to straighten their inward curve.
Some of the most common exercises and stretches for children with knock knees are:
- Lunges
- Single-Leg Band Stretches
- Kickbacks
Again, the doctor’s diagnosis will determine if these exercises will help your child correct knock knees.
To make knock knees exercises work, they must be done daily.
Surgery
For children with knock knees, guided growth surgery is the best option.
This is because the surgery is specifically designed for children with still developing bones.
To hold the child’s leg straight, an instrument is inserted into the child’s legs.
After the knock knees have been corrected, the orthopedic surgeon will take out the instrument from the child’s legs.
Knock knee surgery can be expensive and it is often the last resort.
This surgery will not be performed on children under 8 years of age.
Conclusion
These are the best treatments to treat child knock knees.
Keep in mind that knock knees can develop in children as young as 2-7 years old. However, they will soon heal without any treatment.
Now, let your child’s bowlegs or knock knees work their magic.
