In older children and adults, a doctor will attempt to diagnose the cause of genu valgum. The cause will determine if any treatment is needed to correct the condition. Questions will include information about family history and any other known pre-existing conditions that might cause knock-knees.
If pain is present, a doctor will likely ask a person to identify where it is located, how severe it is, and when it occurs. In some cases, a doctor may order an MRI or X-ray to examine the bone structure.
Treatment for genu valgum will largely depend on the cause and severity of the condition. Typical treatment options may include some of the following:. If an underlying disease is causing genu valgum, the disease will need to be treated first in order to correct the leg alignment.
This may be treated with medications and supplements. A doctor may recommend some simple exercises and stretches or refer a person to a physical therapist. Exercises and stretching can help strengthen muscles of the legs and realign the knees. The exercise routine will likely include plans to add weights or switch the routine as the muscles develop. If a person is carrying excessive body weight , it can be a contributing factor to genu valgum.
Extra weight puts additional strain on the legs and knees, which can cause knock-knees to worsen. A doctor will likely recommend that a person who is overweight lose weight through a combination of diet and exercise. This may be especially helpful for people with genu valgum who have one leg that is longer than the other.
Braces or splints may be used for some children in addition to or instead of orthotics. The braces are designed to help the bones grow in the correct position. Surgery is not typically the first treatment choice for a person with genu valgum. Surgery is usually reserved for the following cases:.
For children, a procedure called guided growth surgery is often used. A surgeon inserts a small piece of metal into the knee. This metal plate helps the bone grow in the correct direction. Once the bone is aligned correctly, further surgery is done to remove the metal plate. In adults and older teens, osteotomy may be used. Although it occurs by chance, it seems to run in families.
Obesity can make genu valgum more severe, according to the Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics. The journal reported that in a recent study, 71 percent of children with genu valgum were found to be obese. A bone disease or arthritis will need to be treated. In some cases, your doctor may order an X-ray or MRI scan to look at your bone structure.
For example, if rickets are causing your knock-knees, your doctor will likely prescribe vitamin D and calcium supplements to help restore your levels. Obesity can put added stress on your knees, worsening genu valgum. Check out: 10 Tips for getting started on a no-sugar diet ». For most people with genu valgum, exercise can help realign and stabilize their knees. Your doctor or physical therapist can evaluate your gait and suggest exercises designed to strengthen your leg, hip, and thigh muscles.
Specific stretches may also be useful in relieving symptoms. Strengthening exercises can be simple, such as leg raises while seated or lying down.
As you progress with an exercise routine, you may add leg weights to make it more effective. If your legs are of unequal length as a result of genu valgum, a heel insert into the shoe on the shorter side can equalize your leg length and help regularize your gait. It may also relieve leg pain.
For younger people, a small metal plate inserted in their knee can help direct future bone growth. This minor procedure is called guided growth surgery. The plate is removed when bone growth is corrected. Adults may benefit from an osteotomy. This surgery uses permanent metal plates to keep bones aligned. This can adjust your leg bones and realign your knees.
Treatment for mild cases of knock knee in children or adolescents may include braces to help bones grow in the correct position. If a gradual correction does not occur, surgery may be recommended.
In the growing child, guided growth minimal incision surgery may be used to encourage the limb to gradually grow straight. Osteotomy, in which the femur is cut, and then realigned may be needed. In some cases, the surgeon also places an external fixator.
With external fixators, pins are inserted into the bone and protrude out of the body to attach to an external stabilizing structure. Physical therapy is also an important part of treatment, especially in cases where surgery has occurred. In skeletally mature adolescents and in adults, osteotomy is the recommended treatment to straighten the leg.
X-rays are used to determine the location and magnitude of the deformity. In most cases, we treat the femur, but there are situations when the tibia or both femur and tibia are treated. When moderate deformity is present, the osteotomy is typically stabilized with internal fixation plate or rod. When the mal-alignment is more severe, gradual realignment of the limb through the osteotomy may be done with an external fixator.
Nov 9. Knock Knee Surgery. After about 6 weeks on crutches, the patient begins to resume normal activities and around 3 months they are able to engage in high impact exercises.
At about one year, we remove the plates and the patient is hardware free! Austin T. Oct Janessa from Seattle 6 weeks after correction of knockknees knockknee with distalfemoralosteotomy of both legs at one time.
This procedure improves biomechanics, gait, pain, prevents arthritis and improves confidence and body image. Rozbruch aaos llrs orthopedicsurgery orthopedicsurgeon hospitalforspecialsurgery limblengthening hspecialsurgery limbdeformity limbtumordoc SRobertRozbruchMD www. Oct 7. Priest now 16 had knockknee that was not adequately treated with guided growth. With distalfemoralosteotomy I corrected all the deformity hsskids pediatricorthopedics Rozbruch aaos llrs orthopedicsurgery orthopedicsurgeon hospitalforspecialsurgery limblengthening hspecialsurgery limbdeformity limbtumordoc SRobertRozbruchMD www.
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