How to Fix Bowlegs in Infants and Toddlers

Bowlegs is a condition in which one's legs appear bowed out (see illustration), with the knees staying far apart  when the ankles are together. Genu varum is another name for bowlegs.

The condition of having "bowed legs" is known as bowlegs or bow-leggedness. Bowlegs can be a symptom of a variety of diseases, including Blount disease and rickets, which can lead to knee and hip arthritis. Braces, casts, and surgery may be used to correct these bone abnormalities.

What are the symptoms of bowlegs?

  • knees curve outward

  • both legs have a similar curve (symmetric)

  • awkward walking pattern

  • toes point inward (known as intoeing) is often associated

  • clumsiness or frequent tripping

 

How long are babies bowlegged?

Bowlegs is considered a typical stage in the development of infants and toddlers. Bowlegs isn't unpleasant or harmful to very young kids, and it doesn't hinder their mobility in any way. After 18-24 months, most children outgrow bowlegs.  A few kids normally have bowlegs up to when 3 years old.

Causes of Bowleg

Rickets

Rickets is a disease that affects the development of bones in youngsters. It causes bone discomfort, poor growth, and fragile, soft bones that may lead to bone abnormalities in young people. Kids who develop rickets when younger than 3 years old will have progressive bowlegs.

Blount’s disease

Children who suffer from ‘Blount's disease' have growth plates around the knee at the top of their tibia bone that do not work correctly, causing their knees to grow bow-legged. The portion of the tibia growth plate on the inner medial knee stops or slows down making new bone, whereas the outer (lateral) portion of the growth plate continues to develop normally. As a result, one or both legs appear bowlegged.


Bowleg Treatment 

Braces are a form of treatment for very young children.  A very young bow-legged child can wear a brace in order to stretch his or her legs, straightening the bowlegs over time. Braces work by applying traction at regular intervals during the day. Traction is used to pull both ends of the bowleg away from each other, stretching the leg bones into normal alignment.

Most toddlers with progressive bow-legs (Blount’s Disease) require a small operation called “guided correction” to cure the problem.  The surgery is easy and effective.  Very few of the children who come to POBAR require surgery.  Most have what we call “physiologic genu varum” and naturally grow to having straight legs without any treatment by their third birthdays.

When you visit our offices in Brandon or Tampa, a physical examination of the legs and gait will be done by an orthopedic specialist. We'll look at your medical history, any existing ailments, and your current health. We'll also conduct a physical check of your legs. The diagnosis may be confirmed using standing-alignment X-rays which show the leg from hip to ankle.

Schedule an appointment at POBAR with Dr. Bradley today!