Learn About Knock Knees
Knock knees are a condition in which the knees touch, but the ankles do not touch. The legs turn inward.
Genu valgum
Infants start out with bowlegs because of their folded position while in their mother's womb. The legs begin to straighten once the child starts to walk (at about 12 to 18 months). By age 3, the child becomes knock-kneed. When the child stands, the knees touch but the ankles are apart.
By puberty, the legs straighten out and most children can stand with the knees and ankles touching (without forcing the position).
Knock knees can also develop as a result of a medical problem or disease, such as:
- Injury of the shinbone (only one leg will be knock-kneed)
- Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
- Overweight or obesity
- Rickets (a disease caused by a lack of vitamin D)
Knock knees are not treated in most cases.
If the problem continues after age 7, the child may use a night brace. This brace is attached to a shoe.
Surgery may be considered for knock knees that are severe and continue beyond late childhood.
Proliance Surgeons
Patrick Vaughan, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in the care and education of the amateur, professional and weekend athlete. He utilizes both non-operative as well as surgical care in order to restore his patients' function and return them to the activities they love.Dr. Vaughan has been practicing orthopedic surgery in the South Sound for over 15 years. He is the medical director and team orthopedic surgeon for the Tacoma Rainiers (AAA franchise of the Seattle Mariners), and provides sports medicine coverage for Gig Harbor High School. He is the current team orthopedic surgeon for the University of Puget Sound and has worked with all of the school's varsity sports teams for over a dozen years. He served in the U.S. Navy from 2001-2005 at the Naval Hospital Pensacola as an orthopedic surgeon.He enjoys outdoor activities, such as hiking, skiing, and golf, spending time with his family, and playing sports with his two teenagers. Dr. Vaughan is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Knock Knees. His top areas of expertise are Knock Knees, Osteoarthritis, Bowlegs, Hip Replacement, and Knee Replacement.
Summit Orthopedics
Matthew Nies, M.D., is an orthopedic surgeon at Summit Orthopedics specializing in hip and knee arthritis and joint replacement, serving Minneapolis/St. Paul patients. He was named a Rising Star by Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. His fellowship is in adult reconstruction at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. “My fellowship gave me the opportunity to get a lot more experience doing only total joints for a whole year, including primary surgeries as well as revisions for people who have problems with their total joints,” Dr. Nies says. “I give patients the options, and we make a decision together about what the best route for the patient as an individual is going to be. I take a conservative approach, reserving surgery as a last resort.”. Dr. Nies is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Knock Knees. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Knock Knees, Bursitis, Hip Replacement, and Knee Replacement.
Jatin Prakash practices in New Delhi, India. Mr. Prakash is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Knock Knees. His top areas of expertise are Knock Knees, Bowlegs, Osteomyelitis in Children, Osteotomy, and Knee Replacement.
Children normally outgrow knock knees without treatment, unless it is caused by a disease.
If surgery is needed, the results are most often good.
Complications may include:
- Difficulty walking (very rare)
- Self-esteem changes related to cosmetic appearance of knock knees
- If left untreated, knock knees can lead to early arthritis of the knee
Contact your provider if you think your child has knock knees.
There is no known prevention for normal knock knees.
Summary: Foot and leg pain among otherwise healthy children is a common reason for referral to our pediatric orthopaedics outpatient clinic. The pain is often intermittent and transient, but for some the pain is more dominating and has an impact on the child and families. Children grown and have normal anatomical variations such as in-toeing, out-toeing, hypermobility, flatfeet, knock knees etc. Assessing ...
Summary: This study aims to explore and compare two distinct approaches to physical activity: functional training and dynamic play exercises, focusing on their effects on children's gross motor skills, physical fitness and balance. A randomized clinical trial will be conducted. The study will be conducted at Primary school of Lahore in a total duration of 10 months. Sample size will be 38. There will be tw...
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.
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Pomeranz AJ, Sabnis S, Busey SL, Kliegman RM. Bowlegs and knock-knees. In: Pomeranz AJ, Sabnis S, Busey SL, Kliegman RM, eds. Pediatric Decision-Making Strategies. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 49.
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Wimberly RL. Disorders of the leg. In: Herring JA, ed. Tachdjian's Pediatric Orthopaedics. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 18.