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Knock knees Causes and Risks:
By the time the child is 2 or 3 years old most children develop a slight knock-kneed stance, often with significant separation at the ankles when the knees are touching. This is a normal development and often persists through age 5 or 6, at which time the legs begin to straighten fully. By puberty, most children can stand with the knees and ankles touching (without forcing the position).
Knock-knees can also develop as a result of disease processes. Most often the precipitating condition has already been diagnosed and the knock-knees are recognized as a symptom of the condition.
Prevention:
There is no known prevention for normal knock-knees.
Symptoms:
- separation at the ankles when the child stands with the knees touching
Signs and Tests:
If the history and a physical examination indicate a specific cause for the knock knees other than normal development, your health care provider will order the appropriate studies.
Treatment:
The condition is usually not treated. Surgery may be considered for a condition that persists beyond puberty and in which the separation between the ankles is approximately 3 inches or greater.
Prognosis:
Physiological knock-knees normally resolves without intervention. For cases requiring surgery, the procedure provides excellent cosmetic results.
Complications:
- difficulty walking (very rare)
- self-esteem changes related to cosmetic effect of knock-knees
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call your health care provider to schedule an evaluation if you suspect your child has knock-knees.
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