What Are Bow Legs?
Bow legs are a common condition in which the knees turn inward. It can be congenital or acquired due to trauma or injury. Congenital bow legs are usually seen in children, while acquired ones are more likely to occur in adults.
Bow leg correction surgery is performed by a trained orthopaedic surgeon who will correct the alignment of your legs and straighten them out by realigning bones and soft tissues within your lower limbs.
Bow legs are more common in boys than girls. The risk factors include:
- Genetics – If your parents have bow legs, you may also have them.
- Birth defects – Some children are born with a condition called congenital genu varum (Latin for “bent knee”) which causes their knees to be bent outward instead of straight ahead. This can lead to permanent bow-leggedness if not corrected early on.
- Musculoskeletal disorders – Children who suffer from muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy often develop bow-leggedness as they age due to muscle weakness and lack of coordination, respectively.
Diagnosis of Bow Legs
- Physical examination: Your doctor will examine your legs and hips to determine if there are any abnormalities.
- X-rays: X-rays can help determine if there is a condition that may be causing the bow legs, such as a congenital deformity or bone disease.
- Other imaging tests: If an underlying problem is suspected, other imaging tests may be recommended to look for signs of this problem on your child’s bones and joints.
Non-Surgical Treatments for Bow Legs
- Bracing
Bracing is a non-surgical treatment that can be used to correct bow legs. It involves wearing a brace on the leg for several hours each day, which helps straighten out the knees and ankles. The brace should be worn until your child reaches adulthood, or until they are able to walk without any problems. - Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can also help with correcting bow legs, as it strengthens muscles around the knee joint and improves flexibility in those areas as well. A physical therapist will design an exercise program specifically tailored toward correcting bow legs in children aged 4-7 years old who have not yet reached puberty or older adolescents who have already gone through puberty but still suffer from this condition due to previous injuries or surgeries performed on their lower limbs during.
Surgical Treatments for Bow Legs
- Osteotomy: This procedure involves cutting and realigning the bone to straighten it.
- Arthrodesis: This involves fusing two or more bones together, which can be done using metal plates or screws, or by inserting surgical rods into the leg bones.
- Tendon transfer: In this surgery, tendons from other parts of your body are used to create new muscles in your legs so that they will be able to hold up their weight better when walking.
If your child has bow legs, it’s important to seek professional advice. Your doctor can help determine the cause of your condition, and recommend the best treatment plan for you.
Dr Tay Guan Tzu is a senior consultant orthopaedic surgeon whose subspecialty interests are in paediatric orthopaedics, adult and paediatric foot and ankle surgery, as well as deformity correction of the lower limb.
Seeking medical attention for your foot or ankle injury? Consult Dr Tay Guan Tzu at +65 6025 8888 for a comprehensive assessment and suitable treatment plan today!