Definition
If your toddler has legs that are bowed, it can be quite a worrying experience. Especially if your child often trips when walking.
The good news is that it is probably normal and your children will grow out of it.
Many children have what is called “physiological genu varum”. From about 15 months old to 3 years old, the legs will gradually straighten. There is usually no need for your child to wear any special braces or shoes.
However, there can be medical problems that can cause bowing that does need medical treatment.
Symptoms
The symptoms for bowed legs are:
- Curved leg bones
- Pain in the knee
- Abnormal or excessive knee angles
- Unequal knee angles
- An awkward walking pattern
Causes
There are a few causes of bowed legs.
When this happens to kids under the age of 2 the reason is usually just a normal variation of their legs. As the child grows their legs improve and at 3-4 years their legs should look normal. However, some diseases can cause bowed legs.
Blounts disease is a condition where there is a problem with a growth plate in the upper part of the shinbone. This can occur in childhood or as an adolescent.
Rickets can also cause bowed legs in children, and is caused by not getting enough calcium, phosphorus or vitamin D in their diet.
Risk Factors
Some factors than can predispose to bowed legs are:
- Rickets
- Infection or tumours of the leg can alter the growth of the leg, causing one to be bowed
- Arthritis
- Even some professions can cause bowing due to physical trauma eg. jockeys
Investigations
Your doctor may organise an x-ray to image your leg to see if you have bowing and to what extent. You may even get some blood tests done to check for vitamin deficiencies or presence of disease.
Complications
In most instances where this condition lasts past childhood there are minimal effects on their ability to walk. However, as there are uneven stresses placed on the knee, patients can expect an accelerated onset of arthritis. Also, a non-specific feeling of leg discomfort may be present.
Treatment
Normal bowing nearly always corrects itself by the time the child has reached 3 to 4 years old. If the cause is due to malnutrition (not having enough vitamins) supplements can be prescribed. If the cause is Blount’s disease treatment with a leg brace is all that may be needed.
If none of the previously mentioned treatments work then surgery can be performed to correct the bowing.
Seeking Advice
Your Family Doctor (GP)
Your Family Doctor will be able to diagnose and help treat your problem. He or she will be able to
- tell you about your problem
- advise you of the best treatment methods
- prescribe you medications
- and if necessary, refer you to Specialists (Consultants) for further treatment
Prevention
Most bowed legs are normal.
To prevent Rickets, you should have a healthy balanced diet that includes food that contains calcium. Sunlight also activates your Vitamin D.
F.A.Q. | Frequently Asked Questions
After surgical treatment are anything like screws or plates left in the legs?
No, nothing is left in after treatment is complete