What problems can knock knees cause?

Knock knees don’t usually cause any other problems, although a few severe cases may cause knee pain, a limp or difficulty walking. Knock knees that don’t improve on their own can also place your knees under extra pressure, which may increase your risk of developing arthritis.

Can knock knees be genetic?

Genetic conditions such as skeletal dysplasias or metabolic bone disease such as rickets can cause knock knees. Obesity can contribute to knock knees or cause gait abnormalities that resemble knock knees.

What causes knock knees in adults?

What causes knock knees in adults? In adults, knock knees can be caused by trauma or infection, arthritis or residual effects from pediatric orthopedic disease. These images show Georgina before and after treatment for post-traumatic genu valgum of the left tibia.

How can I reduce my knock knees?

Treatment

  1. Medications and supplements. If an underlying disease is causing genu valgum, the disease will need to be treated first in order to correct the leg alignment.
  2. Regular exercise. A doctor may recommend some simple exercises and stretches or refer a person to a physical therapist.
  3. Weight loss.
  4. Orthotics.
  5. Surgery.

Does knock knee surgery hurt?

Osteotomies of the thighbone (femur) are done using the same technique. They are usually done to correct a knock-kneed alignment. Knee osteotomy is most effective for thin, active patients who are 40 to 60 years old. Good candidates have pain on only one side of the knee, and no pain under the kneecap.

Is knock knee a disability?

Genu valgum, commonly called “knock-knee”, is a condition in which the knees angle in and touch each other when the legs are straightened. Individuals with severe valgus deformities are typically unable to touch their feet together while simultaneously straightening the legs….

Genu valgum
Specialty Medical genetics

Do knock knees get worse with age?

It’s a normal part of development between ages 2–4 that usually gets better by about age 7–8. Some kids might have knock knees from a health problem. If so, the signs develop later, usually after age 6 and get worse instead of better.

How long does it take to correct knock knees in adults?

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.

What are the causes of knock knee syndrome?

Knock knee can be caused by an underlying congenital or developmental disease or arise after an infection or a traumatic knee injury. Common causes of knock knees include: Being overweight or obese can also put extra pressure on the knees and contribute to knock knee.

Can a knock knee prevent a knee replacement?

Knock knees in adults are an independent risk factor for knee joint degeneration and pain. It has been demonstrated that correction of knock knees prior to the onset of end stage arthritis can delay or prevent the need for total knee replacement.

How old does a child have to be to have knock knees?

Knock knees in toddlers: Knock knees usually become apparent when a child is 2 to 3 years old. The knees may tilt increasingly inward up until about age 4 or 5. Knock knees in young children: Children’s legs usually become aligned by the time they are about 7 years old. Some children continue to have knock knees into adolescence.

How can you tell if you have knock knees?

On physical appearance, with the patient standing upright, the knees touch each other, but there is a wide space between the ankles. The best way to diagnose knock knees is by taking a standing X-ray, and drawing the straight line on the image from the hip to the ankle.