Blount Disease Overview
Learn About Blount Disease
Blount disease is a growth disorder of the shin bone (tibia) in which the lower leg turns inward, making it look like a bowleg.
Blount's disease; Tibia vara
Blount disease occurs in young children and adolescents. The cause is unknown. It is thought to be due to the effects of weight on the growth plate. The inner part of the shin bone, just below the knee, fails to develop normally.
Unlike bowlegs, which tend to straighten as the child develops, Blount disease slowly gets worse. It can cause severe bowing of one or both legs.
This condition is more common among African American children. It is also associated with obesity and early walking.
One or both of the lower legs turn inward. This is called "bowing." It may:
- Look the same on both legs
- Occur just below the knee
- Rapidly get worse
Braces are used to treat children who develop severe bowing before the age of 3.
Surgery is most often needed if braces do not work, or if the problem is not diagnosed until the child is older. Surgery may involve cutting the shin bone to place it in the proper position. Sometimes, the bone will be lengthened as well.
Other times, surgery is done to restrict the growth of the outer half of the shin bone. This allows the child's natural growth to reverse the bowing process. This is a much smaller surgery. It works best in children with less severe symptoms who still have quite a bit of growing to do.
Sanjeev Sabharwal is an Orthopedics provider in Newark, New Jersey. Dr. Sabharwal is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Blount Disease. His top areas of expertise are Blount Disease, Osgood-Schlatter Disease, Acromicric Dysplasia, Osteotomy, and Spinal Fusion.
Robert Fitch is an Orthopedics provider in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Fitch is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Blount Disease. His top areas of expertise are Lordosis, Blount Disease, Scoliosis, Osgood-Schlatter Disease, and Osteotomy. Dr. Fitch is currently accepting new patients.
The Metrohealth System
Raymond Liu is an Orthopedics provider in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Liu is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Blount Disease. His top areas of expertise are Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis, Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (LCPD), Accessory Navicular Bone, Osteotomy, and Bone Graft. Dr. Liu is currently accepting new patients.
If the leg can be placed into the proper position, the outlook is good. The leg should work properly and look normal.
Failure to treat Blount disease may lead to progressive deformity. The condition may lead to differences in leg lengths, which can result in disability if not treated.
Blount disease may come back after surgery, especially in younger children.
Contact your child's provider if your child's leg or legs appear to be bowing. Also contact the provider if your child has bowed legs that appear to be getting worse.
Weight loss may be helpful for overweight children.
Published Date: October 20, 2024
Published By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Sheffer BW. Osteochondrosis or epiphysitis and other miscellaneous affections. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 32.
Williams BA, Winell JJ, Wells L. Torsional and angular deformities of the limb. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 716.