Premium Nahrungsergänzungsmittel | artgerecht

Knock Knees (Genu Valgum): Causes and Treatment

Knock knees (genu valgum) are a leg deformity where the knees angle inward. Common in children, they usually resolve on their own but may require treatment in severe cases.

Regular tips about health Regular tips about health

Things worth knowing about "Knock knees"

Knock knees (genu valgum) are a leg deformity where the knees angle inward. Common in children, they usually resolve on their own but may require treatment in severe cases.

What Are Knock Knees?

Knock knees, medically known as genu valgum, are a condition in which the knees tilt inward toward each other. When a person stands with their feet together, the knees touch while a noticeable gap remains between the ankles. This stance resembles the letter "X", which is why the condition is also called X-legs in many countries.

Mild knock knees are a completely normal part of development in toddlers and young children, typically between the ages of 2 and 5. In most cases, the leg alignment corrects itself naturally by school age. Medical evaluation is recommended only when the deformity is pronounced, persists beyond the expected age, or occurs on only one side.

Causes

Knock knees can result from several different causes:

Normal development: In young children, genu valgum is a natural phase of leg axis development.
Rickets: Vitamin D deficiency can lead to softening of the bones and cause knock knees.
Obesity: Excess body weight places increased stress on the knee joints and can promote inward bending.
Injuries and growth plate damage: Trauma or conditions affecting the growth plates can lead to asymmetric deformities.
Underlying conditions: Diseases such as Blount's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or certain genetic disorders can cause knock knees.
Muscle weakness: Weakness in the hip and thigh muscles can contribute to improper loading of the knee joint.

Symptoms

Many individuals, especially children, experience no significant symptoms. In more pronounced cases, the following may occur:

Visible inward angulation of the knees when standing
Pain in the knees, hips, or lower back
An unsteady or waddling gait
Increased fatigue when walking or running
Higher risk of knee problems later in life, such as osteoarthritis

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is typically made through a physical examination by a doctor or orthopedic specialist. The intermalleolar distance – the gap between the inner ankles when the knees are together – is used to assess the severity of the deformity. Additional diagnostic tools may include:

X-ray imaging: To assess the leg axis and joint structure in detail
Gait analysis: To identify abnormal loading patterns during movement
Blood tests: To rule out metabolic conditions such as rickets or vitamin D deficiency

Treatment

Treatment depends on the age of the patient, the severity of the condition, and any underlying causes:

Watchful Waiting

In children within the normal developmental window, a watch-and-wait approach is often recommended, as the leg alignment typically corrects itself over time.

Physiotherapy

Targeted exercises to strengthen the hip, thigh, and calf muscles can help stabilize the leg axis and relieve discomfort.

Orthotics and Braces

Custom shoe insoles or orthotic braces can help redistribute joint loading and provide support for the affected knee.

Surgical Treatment

In cases of severe or persistent knock knees, surgical intervention may be necessary. Common procedures include hemiepiphysiodesis (guided growth in children with open growth plates) and osteotomy (realignment surgery in adults or adolescents with closed growth plates).

References

Staheli, L. T.: Fundamentals of Pediatric Orthopedics. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 4th edition, 2007.
World Health Organization (WHO): Growth reference data for 5-19 years. WHO, Geneva, 2007. Available at: https://www.who.int/tools/growth-reference-data-for-5to19-years
Sharma, L. et al.: The role of knee alignment in disease progression and functional decline in knee osteoarthritis. JAMA, 286(2), 188-195, 2001.

Building Blocks for a Healthy Life

As an integrated manufacturer, we develop & produce evidence-based, patented, and non-patented formulations. We work exclusively with plant and natural extracts according to the strictest purity & quality standards.
The combination of science & modern technology with the laws of nature creates solutions consistently tailored to humans – for the highest good: health.