Knock Knee – Genu Valgum

Commonly known by the Latin expression Genu Valgum, Knock Knee occurs when the knees touch one another as the legs are straightened. Patients with severe cases of such a deformity are unable to touch their feet together while straightening them.

What is knock knee?

Knock knee is a condition that is seen when the knees bend inwards and touch each other when one stands with straightened legs. It is also called Genu Valgum. When this condition becomes severe, the individual loses the ability to bring the feet into contact while they also straightening the legs.

Who suffers from knock knee?

Most children have this condition and it becomes easy to see at around the age of four. This condition is almost normal in all children they usually grow out of this condition.

Mild problems related to knock knees may remain even during adulthood. However, as in flat-feet and many other feet condition, it does not require urgent treatment unless other problems also occur. In some cases knock knees may indicate other underlying conditions. The associated conditions may require treatment. If healthcare providers don’t treat these underlying conditions at an early age, knock knees may not disappear even when the child becomes an adult.

This condition does not usually cause other defects. However, in severe cases, the patient may experience pain, difficulty while walking, or a limb.

If the knees don’t straighten on their own as the child grows, the patient may suffer from arthritis due to the extra pressure that is applied to the knees.

This condition is not usually a cause of concern among children unless other conditions come along with it. The condition also improves with age.

Seek treatment for knock knee if:

• You stand with the knees together and the gap between your feet is more than eight centimetres.
• The difference between the angle at the lower legs and that of the upper legs is significantly big.
• The problem gets worse progressively.
• A child above the age 5.
• The patient experiences other symptoms like difficulty when walking and pain in the knees.
• Only one of the legs is affected.
• There are additional; concerns about the posture of the child.
• Adults with this condition

Treatment:

The podiatrist will conduct some assessment and examination. He may also take measurements. An X-ray may also be required to see whether there are any underlying problems. In most cases there are a variety of treatment options available. If the case is untreatable,  the podiatrist may then refer you to a surgeon. Contact us on 03 9077 5915 for further assessment and treatment.