female knock knees patient holding soccer ball

Genu Valgum (Knock Knees)

Knock Knees Care Locations

Knock Knees Treatments

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Shriners Children's Patient Portals

Understanding why your child has knock knees is important. Our physicians are here to provide the answers you need and the care you can count on.

A condition that causes the knees to tilt inward while the ankles remain spaced apart, knock knees (genu valgum), are a common part of the growth and development process. While having knock knees between the ages of 2 and 7 is quite normal, children who show signs of the condition earlier or later in life might need treatment.

To determine why your child has knock knees, a physician will perform a comprehensive physical exam. Radiographs may also be obtained to determine why your child has knock knees, and whether they will grow out of them normally, or if they will be a problem later in life and should be corrected.

From your child's height and length, to knee positions and walking patterns, we'll look at a range of factors before making a diagnosis.

Specific treatments and services may vary by location. Please contact a specific location for more information.

Symptoms and Causes of Knock Knees

As their legs grow longer and stronger, many children go through stages of knock knees in their early years. Here, you'll find a list of symptoms connected to knock knees:

Knees tilt inward
Ankles remain apart even when the knees are touching
Walking pattern is unusual
Feet are rotated outward

Causes of Knock Knees

As children begin learning to walk, their knees usually tilt inward to help them balance. A completely normal part of growth and development, knock knees aren't usually caused by anything. However, in rare cases, knock knees might be caused by bone disease or injury.

When Knock Knees are Concerning

More often than not, knock knees are simply part of growing up. But, if your child shows signs of knock knees with any of the following symptoms, our physicians will likely want to explore further to rule out other underlying conditions. Look for symptoms like:

Knock knees that show up before age 2 or after age 7
Knock knees that worsen after age 7
Limping
Knee pain
Hip pain
Abnormally short stature, usually below the fifth percentile

Learn About Treatment for Knock Knees

Our physicians treat children with knock knees through close observation. However, if your child never grows out of knock knees, their physician might recommend a different treatment – sometimes involving surgery. Read about the most common surgical options below.

Guided Growth Surgery

Guided growth surgery helps correct knock knees by slowing bone growth on the bent side of the leg so the other side can catch up. During this procedure, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon places small metal devices on the inner side of the growth plates around the knees, leaving the outer side to continue growing straight.

Osteotomy Surgery

To correct more severe knock knees, our physicians might suggest an osteotomy to straighten the legs by changing the angle of the bones. During this procedure an orthopedic surgeon cuts and realigns the bones above or below the knees.

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