3 Knee Deformities That Get Worse Without Treatment

If you’ve noticed that your child’s legs look not-quite-right when they stand, with extra space between the knees or ankles or odd curvature to the bones or flexion to the knee, they could have a common knee deformity that needs attention.

At Keck Medicine of USC, Orthopaedic Surgery in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, orthopaedic and sports medicine specialist George Hatch, MD, diagnoses and treats knee deformities to help your child maintain proper bone and joint development and growth. Here’s what he wants you to know.

Bowlegs

Genu varum, or bowlegs, causes extra space between the knees, making the legs look like they are bowed out. Many babies are born bowlegged due to lack of space in the womb and the flexibility of growing bones and joints.

By the age of 2, your child should be able to stand straight with both their ankles and knees pressed together. If not, it’s time to address bowleggedness before the condition becomes worse. Without treatment, the ends of the upper and lower leg bones are damaged over time, leading to future painful osteoarthritis.

Knock-knees

Genu valgum, or knock-knees, causes extra space between the ankles, causing the knees to knock together. Up to 75% of children start to appear knock-kneed between the ages of 3 and 5. 

For most children, the problem self-corrects by the age of 7 or 8 years old. If not, the condition may worsen as the gap between the ankles spreads to well beyond 3 inches, causing strain on the knees and hips, and again, leading to potential osteoarthritis, especially if your child is heavier.

Hyperextension

Genu recurvatum, or hyperextension of the knee, means that the knee bends backwards. Less than 1% of children are born with knee hyperextension, while others acquire the deformity due to an injury (often sports-related).

Hyperextension of the knee rarely goes away on its own, and can become worse over time. Kids with this issue may develop gait issues, and have chronic pain in their knee as well as being more prone to knee injuries.

Treatment for knee deformities

Mild knee deformities can be treated with taping, bracing, splinting, casting, and/or physical therapy. Dr. Hatch treats more severe cases with a procedure called knee osteostomy, cutting and reshaping the upper and/or lower bones of the legs and reshaping them. New bone fills in the cut areas, straightening the legs into the correct position. 

To learn more about common knee deformities and treatments, contact our office by calling 323-442-5860, or book an appointment online today with Dr. George Hatch of Keck Medicine of USC, Orthopaedic Surgery.