Contents
Can knock knees be corrected in adults
Is knock knee surgery possible for someone in their late twenties? – There is no fixed age limit for corrective surgery for knock knees. The surgical technique used may vary depending on age. Children can take advantage of their remaining growth to guide the bones straighter with minor surgery.
Adults can benefit from osteotomy surgery on the knee to obtain a correction. Patients over sixty years of age may receive a different type of osteotomy than younger patients to ensure timely healing. Older patients with arthritis will often receive a knee replacement to treat both problems. It is important to consult with a physician to determine the best course of treatment.
Updated: 6/1/2022
How long does it take to cure knock knees by exercise
How long does it take for knocked knees to heal with exercise? – The healing process for the leg typically takes three months, during which time physiotherapy may be suggested to help with leg mobility.
Has anyone cured knock knees with exercise?
Regular exercise – Several studies indicate that exercise may help strengthen the muscles of the legs and could improve posture and balance in people with knock-knee. Research also shows that this may apply to young adults with knock-knee, but there is not enough research to indicate that exercise corrects the condition in children.
Can you fix knock knees naturally?
Top Exercises for Genu Valgum Medically Reviewed by on November 08, 2020 Genu valgum, sometimes known as “knock knees,” is a misalignment of the legs and knees. The is shaped or pulled in a way that causes the legs to bow inwards. When someone with genu valgum stands with their knees together, their feet do not touch.
- Mild genu valgum is common and doesn’t generally cause problems, and genu valgum in children generally goes away without treatment.
- However, some people can find that it causes and difficulty walking.
- There are several exercises that can help correct genu valgum in people who find it uncomfortable.
- Genu valgum in adults is generally nothing to worry about.
However, in some cases it is caused by a muscular imbalance. Your hip muscles, ankles, are critical for supporting your knees. If any of these muscles are weak or overly tight, you may experience uncomfortable knock knees. Strengthening and correcting these muscles can help support the knee joint and reverse some cases of genu valgum.
- Single-Leg Band Stretches
- This exercise uses a resistance exercise band to help strengthen hip flexor muscles.
- Step 1: With the resistance band firmly anchored to a stable object at ankle height, stand parallel to the band.
- Step 2: Wrap the band around the ankle that’s further from the anchoring object.
Step 3: Stretch the resistance band by swinging your leg out to the side. When your leg is as far extended as you can manage, hold the position for two seconds, then carefully release back to a neutral position.
- Repeat this ten to fifteen times with each leg.
- Leaning Ankle Band Stretches
- This exercise helps muscles and strengthens the ankles.
- Step 1: Anchor the resistance band to something sturdy at about thigh level and stand at the end of the band, perpendicular to the anchor.
- Step 2: Wrap the band around the closer ankle, then step your other foot away so your feet are more than hip-width apart.
Step 3: Lean away from the resistance band, bending the knee that is not connected to the band. Keep both feet firmly planted. You should feel the band pulling at the inside of your ankle.
- Step 4: Lean as far as you can, then hold the position for two seconds, and return to standing.
- Repeat this ten to fifteen times with each leg.
- Exercise Band Squats
- Squats help strengthen your quads and hamstrings, while adding the exercise band engages your hip flexors.
Step 1: Stand with your feet hip width apart and a circular exercise band placed around your thighs. The band should be snug but you shouldn’t have trouble standing with your feet apart. Step 2: Gently sink into a squat, bending your knees and keeping your thighs apart.
- Kickbacks
- This exercise helps coordinate the stepping activity and strengthens the muscles on the outside of your thighs.
- Step 1: Stand with your feet hip-width apart and wrap a circular exercise band just below your knees.
- Step 2: Slowly lift one leg backwards and up like you’re preparing to kick a ball.
- Step 3: Hold this position for several seconds, then release back to a standing position.
- Repeat this exercise ten to fifteen times per leg.
- Lunges
- This exercise improves the strength and coordination of your leg muscles and hips.
Step 1: From a standing position, step one leg forward several feet. Keep your hands on your hips.
- Step 2: Bend both knees until they are both 90-degree angles and sink towards the floor.
- Step 3: Slowly return to a standing position.
- Repeat this exercise with both legs ten to fifteen times.
While many cases of genu valgum are due to muscle weakness, some cases are caused by underlying skeletal and structural differences. If this is your situation, you may notice that certain exercises cause knee pain. Exercise ; if you notice pain during or after exercise, stop immediately. © 2020 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved. : Top Exercises for Genu Valgum
Is knock knee permanent?
Treatment for knock knees – Knock knees usually gets better as children grow and their legs straighten. Most children do not need any treatment, but sometimes physiotherapy or treatment from a foot specialist (podiatrist) may be recommended. Sometimes, if knock knees cause problems such as pain or difficulty walking, you may be referred to a specialist for tests to see what might be causing it.
Can I reverse my knock knees?
Osteotomy surgery – Osteotomy surgery can correct more severe deformities or knock knees that do not get better on their own by the time a child has finished growing. The goal of this procedure is to straighten the legs by changing the angle of the bones. A surgeon does this by cutting and realigning the bone above or below the knee. Children typically stay in the hospital for a few days after osteotomy surgery. When they return home, they will need to limit weight-bearing activities and may need to use crutches or a walker for six to eight weeks. Physical therapy will help restore muscle strength. Typically, children can return to full activity, including sports, six months after the procedure.
Do knock knees go away with age
What Are Knock Knees? – Knock knees — or genu valgum (GEE-noo VAL-gum) — is when a child stands up straight and the knees touch but the ankles are apart. Knock knees often happen as a normal part of growth and development. So, kids toddler to elementary school age often have knock knees. It’s rarely serious and the condition usually goes away on its own by the time a child is 7 or 8 years old.
How can I straighten my legs naturally
Can bowlegs be corrected without surgery? – The belief that bowlegs can be corrected without surgery is a fallacy. Varus deformity around the knee is a structural deviation from normal bone alignment. Exercise, stretching, strengthening, physical therapy, and vitamins will make your muscles and bones stronger but will not change the shape of the bones.
- The only way to truly change the shape of the legs is to cut the bone and straighten it.
- This is called an osteotomy and is an enduring, structural alteration.
- Restoring proper bone structure will improve function: Proper limb alignment affects the entire body in a positive way.
- The muscles and tendons are pulling along their intended trajectory, optimizing their efficiency.
The ligaments, which hold the joints together, no longer experience undue stress. High-performance athletes who came to me with bowleg-related knee pain were able to return to sports at a higher level of function and performance after surgery. The best results can be expected in cases where the knee is not already burdened with arthritis.
Correcting bowlegs may avert the need for future surgery. For example, many people with uncorrected bowlegs may have to have knee replacement in their future and earlier in life than typical candidates for knee replacement. Although a total knee replacement can provide a good result, it is certainly not as optimal as saving the native knee.
An osteotomy surgery to correct the bowing may be the antidote to avoid knee replacement. In the twenty-first century, patients have become well-informed and take ownership of their healthcare. The internet has helped educate patients about surgeries and medical specialists that might not have existed 20 or 30 years ago.
Does yoga cure knock knees
Yoga may assist in straightening your knock knees. Yoga helps to practice the art of flexibility and strength by holding poses in certain positions for extended periods of time. Some of these poses will be directed towards strengthening and elongating the ligaments around your knee.
What should I wear if I have knock knees?
How to Fix Knock Knees: 12 At-Home Methods
- Try stretches and exercises to treat knock knees at home. Do things like a figure 4 stretch, a butterfly stretch, and squats.
- Wear running shoes to support your knees and hips while you walk. Eat a healthy diet to support bone health, and lose weight if you need to.
- Talk to your doctor about surgical options if your knock knees are severe or if you have arthritis.
- 1 Figure 4 stretch Sit in a chair and bring 1 foot up onto the opposite knee. With your knee pointed out to the side, slowly push down on the inside of your knee to stretch your hips. Release after 1 to 2 seconds, then repeat the stretch 8 to 10 times on both legs.
- Stretching your hips and the tops of your legs opens up your hip flexors to allow your knees to turn outward. When your hips turn outward, your knees do, too.
- You can do most knock knee exercises and stretches 6 to 7 days per week. However, if they cause you pain or discomfort, talk to your doctor before continuing.
- 2 Butterfly stretch Sit on the ground with your legs straight out in front of you. Slowly bring your feet in toward yourself, letting your knees flop to the side. Grab your ankles and push down on your knees with your elbows to stretch your groin area for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Stretching your groin allows your hips to turn outward, which will help your knees turn outward, too.
Advertisement
- 3 Clamshells Lie down on one side with your knees slightly bent. Keeping your bottom leg on the floor, slowly raise your top knee to the sky, keeping your feet together. Raise and lower your knee 8 to 10 times, then switch sides.
- This exercise strengthens your hip flexors and your thighs. When your hip flexors and thighs are strong, they can turn your knees outward instead of letting them fall inward.
- 4 Lying leg lifts Lie down on one side with your legs straight. Keeping your bottom leg on the ground, lift your top leg up into the air at about a 45-degree angle to the ground. Slowly lower your leg, then lift it up 8 to 10 more times before switching sides.
- Doing this will strengthen your outer thighs and your glutes. These muscles help turn your hips and your knees outward.
- 5 Leg band stretches Attach a to a solid object at about ankle height, like a chair or table leg. Stand next to the solid object and attach the band to your outside leg. Slowly raise your leg out to the side, keeping your hips straight. Hold the position for 2 seconds, then lower your leg.
- This exercise strengthens your hip flexors and the muscles in your thighs, both of which control the direction of your knees.
- 6 Squats by standing with your feet hip-width apart. With your feet pointed forward, slowly bend your knees and engage your glutes to lower your body down. When your legs create a 90-degree angle, slowly push yourself back up. Try to do 10 squats in total.
- Squats strengthen your quads, glutes, and hamstrings all at the same time.
Advertisement
- 1 Wear well-fitting running shoes as your everyday shoes. Good can do a lot to take the strain off your knees and ankles, and you can benefit from them even if you aren’t an athlete. Look for shoes that are designed to correct overpronation (the foot rolling inward when you run or walk).
- To get shoes fitted, go to a store that caters to runners. They can recommend shoe brands to you and have you try them on for the perfect fit.
- 2 Use leg braces or orthotic shoes for extra support and gait correction. Your doctor or physical therapist may recommend special or braces that can help correct the alignment of your feet and knees. These devices can also take some of the pressure off your knees, preventing your knock knees from getting worse. Ask your doctor or physical therapist what kinds of devices will work best for you.
- Many people with knock knees have one leg that’s longer than the other. Orthotic shoes can help correct the difference, making it easier to walk and run without putting strain on your knees and feet.
- Additionally, orthotic shoes can prevent your feet from rolling inward as you walk. This is a common gait issue in people with knock knees.
- You may also benefit from a leg brace that supports the outside part of your knee joint.
- 3 Strengthen your knees with, There are a variety of yoga poses and exercises you can try to build strength, flexibility, and stability in your knees. Yoga is particularly helpful for treating knee problems when combined with physical therapy. Look for a qualified yoga therapist who has experience treating knee problems, or ask your doctor of physical therapist to recommend someone. They can teach you how to do the poses and exercises correctly so that you do not further injure your knees.
- Some good knee-strengthening poses include the Warrior poses and the Triangle pose.
- 4 Do a knee-friendly, You can also use Pilates to strengthen your knees, relieve tension, and improve the mobility of your knee joints. Find a Pilates instructor who can guide you through some good knee-strengthening exercises, or ask your doctor or physical therapist to recommend someone.
- 5 Eat a diet that supports your bone and joint health. In addition to exercising safely and appropriately, you can protect and support your knees by eating foods that strengthen your bones and the surrounding tissues. Eat foods like:
- A range of colorful fruits and vegetables, especially antioxidant-rich choices like berries and dark, leafy greens.
- Foods that increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, seeds and nuts, and vegetable oils.
- Lean proteins, such as fish, poultry breast, and beans.
- Anti-inflammatory spices, such as turmeric and ginger.
- Foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, such as dairy products, eggs, fortified cereals, and canned fish with bones.
- 6 Work on if your knock knees are related to obesity. Carrying extra body weight can put strain on your knees, making your knock knees worse. and to get down to a healthy weight and take pressure off your knees.
- If you’re concerned about losing weight safely, talk to your doctor or a dietitian for guidance.
Advertisement
- 1 Osteotomy Osteotomy is the most common type of surgery to correct knock knees in older teens and adults. This procedure involves cutting out part of one of the leg bones surrounding the knee and adjusting the bone to permanently correct the alignment of the joint. Ask your doctor to refer you to an orthopedic surgeon if they recommend an osteotomy.
- Most people stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days during this surgery. A full recovery can take up to 6 months.
Tip: Corrective knee surgeries like osteotomy and knee replacement typically involve implanting hardware (such as plates, screws, and artificial joints) into the knee. Let your doctor know if you are allergic to any metals or other materials so that they can select appropriate hardware.
- 2 Knee replacement surgery If your knock knees are caused by or associated with severe arthritis, your doctor may recommend a knee replacement surgery. This involves cutting away damaged bone from your knee and thigh and replacing it with artificial bone. Talk to your doctor if you have arthritis and knock knees to find the best option for you.
- Full recovery from this surgery usually takes 3 to 6 weeks.
Advertisement
- 1 Knock knees are usually caused by your position in the womb. Usually, infants will develop knock knees in their mother’s womb because of their folded position. For many people, knock knees straighten out during puberty, and aren’t much of a problem during adulthood.
- If you’ve had knock knees since you were a child, they may be caused by a genetic condition. Certain genes make knock knees stick around through puberty and until adulthood.
- 2 Knock knees can also be caused by medical problems or diseases. In rare cases, knock knees happen later in life. You might develop knock knees as a result of an injury to the shinbone, osteomyelitis (bone infection), obesity, or rickets.
Advertisement
- 1 Separation of the ankles when the knees are together Stand up straight with your legs as close together as possible. When your knees touch, are your ankles far apart? If so, it’s likely that your knees are turning inward, meaning you have knock knees.
- 2 Difficulty walking The position of your knees may affect how well and how quickly you walk. If you find that your knees touch and rub as you move, you likely have knock knees.
- 3 Pain in the knees, feet, hip, or ankles Not everyone with knock knees experiences pain, but some people do. The position of your knees may cause pain or irritation in your legs, especially after you walk a long distance.
Advertisement
- Take a wait-and-see approach for children under 7. It’s very common for young children to develop knock knees as the muscles in their legs develop. The condition typically first appears in children between the ages of 2 and 5, and most often goes away by the time the child is 7. While it’s a good idea to talk to your child’s doctor if they develop knock knees at this age, they likely won’t need any treatment.
- If your child develops knock knees before the age of 2, talk to their pediatrician.
- Question Can knock knees be corrected in adults? Dr. Jonathan Frank is an Orthopedic Surgeon based in Beverly Hills, California, specializing in sports medicine and joint preservation. Dr. Frank’s practice focuses on minimally invasive, arthroscopic surgery of the knee, shoulder, hip, and elbow. Dr. Frank holds an MD from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine. He completed an orthopedic residency at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and a fellowship in Orthopedic Sports Medicine and Hip Preservation at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado. He is a staff team physician for the US Ski and Snowboard Team. Dr. Frank is currently a scientific reviewer for top peer-reviewed scientific journals, and his research has been presented at regional, national, and international orthopedic conferences, winning several awards including the prestigious Mark Coventry and William A Grana awards.
- Question I am 13 and I have knock knees, but the shape of my legs changes regularly. Can you tell me some exercises I can do? Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006. Start by correcting imbalances in your feet by strengthening and stretching your muscles and ligaments and increasing your overall awareness of your feet and toes. Walking barefoot, rolling a tennis ball under the arches of your feet, rocking back and forth onto your toes and heels, and massaging your feet can help you over time to enhance the functionality of your feet, which is the foundation for proper alignment of your ankles, knees, hips and spine. Secondly, to address your knock knees, you should be strengthening your abductor muscles to balance strong adductors, which contribute to the condition. Some of the exercises include side-lying or standing side leg raises, one leg side bridges, and prone straddle holds. Look into structural alignment or yoga therapy for a specific set of exercises. Do those consistently, and your knock knees will improve over time.
- Question Hey, I have a knocked knee and I think it’s only on my right leg. Can I get it corrected through exercise, or am I too old for that? I am 22 years old. Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006. You are never too old to improve your body, as it is infinitely intelligent and will self-correct if given proper conditions. Our bones, ligaments, muscles, and fascia are very adaptable, and there are several tools you can utilize to correct knocked knees. These include yoga therapy, Pilates, and the Iyengar and Feldenkrais methods. Do your own research and consult a specialist in any of these fields to design a corrective program for you. Stay consistent with the prescribed regimen, and over time you should be able to not only correct your knocked knees, but also improve your overall body.
Ask a Question Advertisement Medically reviewed by: Sports Orthopedic Surgeon & Joint Preservation Specialist This article was medically reviewed by and by wikiHow staff writer,, Dr. Jonathan Frank is an Orthopedic Surgeon based in Beverly Hills, California, specializing in sports medicine and joint preservation.
Dr. Frank’s practice focuses on minimally invasive, arthroscopic surgery of the knee, shoulder, hip, and elbow. Dr. Frank holds an MD from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine. He completed an orthopedic residency at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and a fellowship in Orthopedic Sports Medicine and Hip Preservation at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado.
He is a staff team physician for the US Ski and Snowboard Team. Dr. Frank is currently a scientific reviewer for top peer-reviewed scientific journals, and his research has been presented at regional, national, and international orthopedic conferences, winning several awards including the prestigious Mark Coventry and William A Grana awards.
- Co-authors: 9
- Updated: January 15, 2023
- Views: 334,328
Categories: To fix your knock knees, commit to low-impact exercises, such as biking, swimming, or walking, a few times a week, which will help strengthen your knees and leg muscles. You can also practice yoga poses which build knee strength, such as the Warrior and Triangle poses.
In addition to regular exercise, consider investing in a good quality pair of running shoes or orthotic shoes, which will take a lot of strain off your knees and ankles, even when you’re not exercising. You should also eat a range of colorful fruits and vegetables, like berries and dark, leafy greens, which are high in antioxidants and help to strengthen your bones.
If you’ve recently developed knock knees or they cause you severe pain or discomfort, visit your doctor for an evaluation so they can help you work out a treatment plan. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to deal with knock knees in children, read on!
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 334,328 times. : How to Fix Knock Knees: 12 At-Home Methods
Is it hard to run with knock knees?
Is Knock Knees bad? – The trouble with this pattern of knock knees or dynamic knee valgus is that it increases joint loads at the patellofemoral joint (knee cap). This can increase the likelihood of someone developing patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee). So if the dynamic valgus is too pronounced, it’s best to try and correct it by working on running technique. Related eBook
Are knock knees genetic?
Practice Essentials – Genu valgum is the Latin-derived term used to describe knock-knee deformity. Whereas many otherwise healthy children have knock-knee deformity as a passing trait, some individuals retain or develop this deformity as a result of hereditary (see the image below) or genetic disorders or metabolic bone disease. This 9-year-old patient has symmetrical and progressive genu valgum caused by hereditary form of metaphyseal dysplasia. One method of treatment is to undertake bilateral femoral and tibial/fibular osteotomies, securing these with internal plates or external frames.
- However, hospitalization and attendant cost and risks, including peroneal nerve palsy and compartment syndrome, make this daunting for surgeon and family alike.
- Furthermore, mobilization and weightbearing may require physical therapy but must be delayed pending initial healing of bones.
- The typical gait pattern is circumduction, requiring that the individual swing each leg outward while walking in order to take a step without striking the knee of the planted limb with the moving limb (hence the lay expression “knock knees”).
Not only are the mechanics of gait compromised but also, with significant angular deformity, patellar tracking is compromised, resulting in anterior and medial knee pain. For persistent genu valgum, treatment recommendations have included a wide array of options, ranging from lifestyle restriction and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to bracing, exercise programs, and physical therapy.
In recalcitrant cases, surgery may be advised. No consensus exists regarding optimal treatment. Some surgeons focus (perhaps inappropriately) on the patella itself, favoring arthroscopic or open realignment techniques. However, these efforts will fail if valgus malalignment of the extremity is significant.
To correct limb alignment, corrective osteotomy or, in the skeletally immature patient, hemiepiphysiodesis (guided growth) may be indicated. Osteotomy indications and techniques have been well described in standard textbooks and orthopedic journals and are not the focus of this article.
Hemiepiphysiodesis can be accomplished by using the classic Phemister bone block technique, the percutaneous method, hemiphyseal stapling, or the application of a single two-hole plate and screws around the physis. The senior author, having experience in each of these techniques, developed the last-mentioned one in order to solve two of the problems sometimes encountered with staples—namely, hardware fatigue and migration.
The focus of this article is on the indications, techniques, complications, and outcome of guided growth using the reversible plate technique for the correction of pathologic genu valgum.
Do footballers have knock knees?
ABSTRACT – The presence of abnormalities in knee alignment (genu varum and genu valgum) is extremely common in soccer. It can occur in the junior league / youth academy and perpetuate itself throughout the professional career. The consequences of years of high-level sports practice in players with genu varum / genu valgum can be harmful to the knees.
- By observing football matches of the present and the past, the authors of the article noted that great Brazilian soccer players were, or are, affected by the malalignment of the knees: Garrincha (the most famous), Leandro, Dunga, Romário, Rivaldo and Neymar.
- This study aims to discuss the relationship between high-performance sport and the development of these orthopedic deformities, serving as a tool for updating the trauma-orthopedic knee subspecialty.
Level of Evidence III, Retrospective comparative study. Keywords: Soccer, Genu Varum, Genu Valgum, Bow Legs, Knock Knee
Will knock knees go away if I lose weight
How to tell if you have knock knees: If you suspect you may have knock knees, you can make the diagnosis of knock knees at home. Stand upright in front of a mirror with your knees touching and your kneecaps facing forward. If your ankles are apart by more than 8cm then you most likely have knock knees. The medical term for ‘knock knees’ is genu valgum, If your ankles are apart by more than 8cm with your knees touching, then you may have knock knees What causes knock knees? There are a few reasons you may have knock knees:
Developmental
Knock knees is so common in young children that the presence of knock knees in children is considered a normal stage of development up to the age of about 10.
Following lower limb injury at a ‘growth center’
Most of the growth in the lower limb is from places called ‘growth centers’ above and below the knee. Growth centers house specialized cells that multiply and cause the limb to get longer in children and teens. This means that if any injury occurs at these ‘growth centers’, when one is still growing, it is possible that the damaged cells will cause distorted growth at the knee, resulting in knock knees as you grow up. Injuries around the knee can damage the growth centers, affecting leg alignment
Following a lower limb fracture
If you have suffered from a fracture away from the growth center, sometimes your bones can also heal in an abnormal position after a fracture, causing the appearance of knock knees.
Following a soft tissue injury at the knee
More severe injuries that may happen at the knee can cause your knee ligaments to be torn or stretched causing them to be loose. Ligament injuries at the knee can affect alignment and stability of the knee
Due to bone disease
Some familial bone diseases and can also cause knock knees. This is because the quality of the bone is “softer” than normal bone, and causes the bone to bend.
Due to poor bone quality
Rickets (low vitamin D) and low calcium can cause deformities in the long weightbearing bones.
Due to advanced joint disease and degeneration
Advanced arthritis can also result in knock knees, and this is usually seen in middle aged and older adults. Advanced arthritits can present as knock knees in older individuals Can knock knees be surgically corrected? Yes.
Procedures for children
After establishing the correct diagnosis and cause, in general, at least two operations will need to be carried in children and teens (who may still be growing), to correct knock knees. Dr Maina places a staple or small plate and screws across the growth center at inside of the knee in the first step of a procedure is known as “growth modulation”. Follow up x-rays help assess knock knees Children generally need a second surgical procedure to remove the implants after correction has been achieved. This is usually done as a day procedure. In some teens and children, the correction is not as effective as one would expect, so occasionally there is a need to do an additional surgical procedure to intentionally damage one half of the growth plate to cause permanent growth arrest.
Procedures for adults
When an young adult with knock knees experiences pain or has early signs of joint damage, surgery may be required that breaks the bone to correct its alignment. This is called a “corrective osteotomy”. This is done through a cut on the outside of one’s thigh just above the knee. Restricted weightbearing is recommended for several weeks after a corrective osteotomy Older adults who typically present to Dr Maina’s rooms with knock knees have usually developed instability and severe osteoarthritis as a complication of longstanding malalignment.
Surgical planning
Prior to surgery, Dr Maina requires standing x-rays of the lower limbs/knees. This helps her plan the surgical correction of your knock knees. The more severe the deformity, the greater the degree needed to correct. How long does it take to recover from knock knee surgery? In children who have a staple or small plate inserted to stop growth, their pain is minimal and they usually mobilize and return home the day after surgery.
They may occasionally use crutches to take the weight off to limit pain for a short period of time. In adults who have undergone a corrective osteotomy (breaking and realigning the strongest bone in your body – the femur), you will only be able to start standing on that leg between 6 to 8 weeks following surgery.
In that period of time, you will need to use crutches, wear a rigid knee brace for support and undergo physiotherapy. Swimming and low resistance exercises will be possible after about two months. High level athletes can return to sport up to three years from the time of surgery. You will stand to walk within a day of your knee replacement surgery. Is knock knee surgery painful? All surgery is done when you are unconscious, under anaesthetic. When you wake up you will also receive regular pain medication after the surgery, so any pain will be well controlled. You will not feel any discomfort during your surgery and will receive pain medication afterwards. Can knock knees be cured without surgery? Since being knock kneed is a part of normal development in kids, Dr Maina usually follows children up to twice a year to check their progress.
Knock knees usually correct themselves between 8 to 10 years of age. If, over this time, the condition worsens (or persists at the age of 10) Dr Maina may recommend surgery. In young adults, there are several powerful clinical trials which show that select exercise programmes can improve strength, efficiency and position of the lower limbs in adults with knock knees.
This improved strength reduces strain on the knee, reducing the frequency of injuries and delaying the progression of osteoarthritis. These exercises may improve the appearance of knock knees, but do not “cure” knock knees. Correct technique is important to avoid injuries when doing lower limb exercises Aside from physiotherapy and exercise to decrease the severity of symptoms in older adults, non-operative steps include: – The use of painkillers – Orthotics or assistive devices (knee braces and shoe wedges) to ‘offload’ the affected part of the knee joint – Dr Maina performs consulting room injections into the knee of
Your own platelet rich plasma (referred to by some as “stem cells”) Steroid injections into the knee Gel supplement injections.
– Weight loss reduces the strain across the knee (for every 1kg of weight lost, the pressure on the front of the knee is reduced by 4kg!) Weight loss helps improve knee pain, lower limb stability and alignment Do knock knees get worse with age? That depends on the cause of the knock knees. If rickets and calcium deficiencies go untreated, they may result in progressive deformities of the entire limb – not just at the knees.
If there was an injury to the ligaments of the knee, then the ligament may heal in a stretched position. The progressive stretching and abnormal wearing down of the joint itself can worsen the knock knees with age. If one gains weight and suffers from knock knees, the weight gain will worsen the alignment over time and put more pressure across the knee joint.
In family-related bone diseases, knock knees may get worse with age. Pagets disease of bone is one example. Maintaining a healthy weight limits the progression of knee problems How can I straighten my knock knees naturally? Weight loss has been shown to improve alignment and decrease pain at the knees. While your posture and balance at the knees can be improved through exercise, the alignment abnormalities that may cause knock knees cannot be ‘cured’ through exercise alone. Training programmes help improve strength and mobility. When should I consider knock knee surgery as an option? Elective surgery is always a last resort. Surgery is an option when all other reasonable options are exhausted or when your pain and deformity is severe. Surgery is reserved for severe cases when treating knock knees Dr Anne Maina Specialist Orthopaedic surgeon MBBCh (Wits), FC Orth (SA), MMed Ortho (Wits) CIME References: 1. Jenna Fletcher. All you need to know about knock knees (genu valgum). Healthline.com.
Reviewed April 22, 2020. Accessed 3 May 2022: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319894 2. Jafarnezhadgero A, Ghorbanloo F, Fatollahi A, et al. Effects of an elastic resistance band exercise program on kinetics and muscle activities during walking in young adults with genu valgus: A double-blinded randomized controlled trial.
How To Fix Knock Knees (Exercises To Correct Knee Valgus)
Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon).2021 Jan;81:105215. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2020.105215. Epub 2020 Nov 11. PMID: 33203537.3. Zajonz, D., Schumann, E., Wojan, M. et al. Treatment of genu valgum in children by means of temporary hemiepiphysiodesis using eight-plates: short-term findings.
Can a chiropractor fix knock knees?
Can you get your knee adjusted? – Yes, you can get your knee adjusted. Chiropractors are trained to adjust all joints of the body, the knee joint included. However, there are several different ways to adjust the knee depending on what is wrong with the knee.
- Not to mention there are several muscles, bones, and ligaments to consider.
- This is why chiropractors in our office are trained to perform physical exams, neurologic exams, and orthopedic exams to discover exactly how the knee is misaligned and why the symptom is presenting how it is.
- From here we can then perform correct adjustments to the knee to restore proper movement and function.
Here is a video from our practice in Austin where we gently adjust one of our patient’s knees due to a chronic knee problem she has suffered with from years of cycling nearly every day.
How long does it take to correct knock knees in adults?
How To Fix Knock Knees Many parents wonder how to fix knock knees or bow legs, but if your child has one of these conditions there’s no need to worry about. Just keep things under control. Only if the situation doesn’t improve or tends to get worse with growth, it is better to see a specialist.
” also called valgus knee, is a condition when the knees touch each other and the ankles are widely separated. On the contrary, or varus deformity is when the knees are separated from one another and the ankles are close together. Both attitudes can be considered normal only at certain stages of a child’s life” When should we worry? The direction of children’s legs varies a lot until adolescence.
During gestation the position of the fetus is curled up and this explains why the knees are physiologically varus at birth. Around 18-20 months the knees often become knocked. This process continues up to 5 years, when the knees tend to realign. Around 10-11 years, they take the final position that will persists in adulthood.
- However, there may be cases in which Knock Knees and Bow Legs do not correct themselves with growth, but they may worsen, instead.
- Bow Legs that worsens in the first 20 months of life could indicate an underlying disease.
- Anyway also the child’s weight can determine this condition: a “chubby” baby, who starts walking early, around 9-10 months, is often bow legged because his/her weight, burden on the knees and pushes them outwards.
In general if bow legs and knock knees are still severe around the age of 3 years it is important to make a physical examination with an orthopedic surgeon.
- What causes Knock Knees and Bow Legs?
- These conditions are partly hereditary, but if they are severe it is likely there is an underlying condition.
- Among the factors that may cause knock knees and bow legs there are:
- metabolic diseases such as rickets (which is very rare in Western countries, nowadays);
- rare syndromes in which the “out of axis” knee is just one of the many signs and usually it is not the most important;
- malformations or previous traumas which may have caused an asymmetric growth of the femur and / or tibia.
When to see a doctor An orthopedic examination around the age of 2 years in case of bow legs and at the age of 7 for knock knees is often enough to rule out important problems. If the specialist suspects any abnormality, an X-ray of the legs with the child standing may be suggested.
This examination allows to determine the varus or valgus angles and to evaluate the conformation of the growing part of the bone. So the specialist can identify or exclude without a doubt any pathology. How to fix knock knees and Bow Legs If knock knees and bow legs are pathological the only possible approach is surgery.
The procedure is simple: a small plate is placed on a portion of the bone (femur or tibia, or both) to temporarily stop its growth. While all the other portions of the bone keep their physiological growth. This asymmetric growth allows correcting of the deviation and it usually takes a couple of years to get the right correction and fix knock knees or bow legs.
Is knock knee permanent?
Are knock knees normal? – Temporarily knocked knees are part of a standard developmental growth stage for most children. This usually corrects itself as the child grows. Knock knees that persist beyond six years of age, are severe or affect one leg significantly more than the other may be a sign of knock-knee syndrome.
- Most children experience normal angular changes in their legs as they grow.
- Children are typically bowlegged until they begin walking at around 12 to 18 months.
- By about twp to three years of age, their legs have usually begun to angle inward, making them knock-kneed.
- During normal growth phases, the child’s legs will straighten out by age seven to eight.
Knock knees that remain outside of these normal developmental growth patterns may be caused by disease, infection or other conditions. If the angle of the legs from hip to foot falls outside normal patterns, worsens over time, or is present on only one side of the body, this suggests a person has a more serious form of knock knees, and further evaluation by an orthopedic specialist may be necessary. X-rays: (Left) preoperative image showing knock knee. (Right) postoperative image showing leg alignment after surgical correction and removal of metal plates.
Can I reverse my knock knees
Osteotomy surgery – Osteotomy surgery can correct more severe deformities or knock knees that do not get better on their own by the time a child has finished growing. The goal of this procedure is to straighten the legs by changing the angle of the bones. A surgeon does this by cutting and realigning the bone above or below the knee. Children typically stay in the hospital for a few days after osteotomy surgery. When they return home, they will need to limit weight-bearing activities and may need to use crutches or a walker for six to eight weeks. Physical therapy will help restore muscle strength. Typically, children can return to full activity, including sports, six months after the procedure.
Is knock knee surgery risky?
Knee osteotomy was first widely used in the United States in the 1960s with mixed results. Since then, many improvements have been made regarding surgical tools, techniques, and patient selection.1 Karolin Rönn, Nikolaus Reischl, Emanuel Gautier, and Matthias Jacobi, "Current Surgical Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis," Arthritis, vol.2011, Article ID 454873, 9 pages, 2011.
Any major surgery involving general anesthesia poses a low risk of strokes, heart attacks, pneumonia, and blood clots. Blood clots, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), are the most common complication of knee osteotomy or knee replacement, but only affect a small percentage of patients. The surgical area can become infected. If the infection does not respond to antibiotics, another surgery or series of surgeries may be required. The peroneal nerve or blood vessels that runs down the back of the leg can be damaged during surgery. The peroneal nerve can also be damaged during recovery if the cast, brace or bandages are too constricting, putting too much pressure on the back of the knee for long periods of time. The bones at the osteotomy site may fail to grow together and heal.
Osteotomy surgery may not provide pain relief. It is unlikely, but possible, that post-surgical pain will be worse than osteoarthritic pain. An under-correction or over-correction can result if the wedge of bone added or taken away was too small or too big. This means a knock-kneed person would become bowlegged or vice-versa. Because a wedge of bone has been added or taken away, a patient’s legs may be different lengths after surgery. Though the bones that comprise the knee joint may be better aligned, there can be complications involving the muscles, ligaments, and tendons that surround and support the joint. For example, a closed wedge tibial osteotomy can loosen the tension of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which helps attach the tibia and femur.
Before electing to have knee osteotomy surgery, patients should talk to their surgeon about the potential risks and complications. Dr.J. Dean Cole is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with more than 30 years of experience treating musculoskeletal issues, including traumatic injuries. He has designed several surgical instruments and implants for minimally invasive orthopedic surgeries and is widely respected for his approach to complex procedures such as deformity correction, bone infection treatment, calcaneal fractures, and nonunions and malunions.