Understanding Knock Knees & How We Fix Them
When you stand with your knees together, do your ankles stay far apart? If so, you might have a condition commonly known as knock knees (medical term: genu valgum).
While it is very common in young children as they grow and often corrects itself by age 7 or 8, knock knees that continue into adulthood or develop later in life can cause pain, make walking difficult, and lead to early arthritis.
The good news? If knock knees are affecting your quality of life, there are highly effective ways to fix the alignment and get you moving comfortably again.
What Exactly is a Knock Knee?
In a normally aligned leg, the weight of your body passes perfectly through the center of your hip, knee, and ankle.
When a person has knock knees, the knees angle inward and touch each other, while the ankles remain apart. This outward angle shifts your body’s weight to the outside of your knee joint, putting uneven stress on the bone and cartilage.
Why Does It Happen?
In adults and older teenagers, knock knees can be caused by a few different things:
Genetics: Sometimes, it’s simply the way your bones naturally developed.
Previous Injuries: A poorly healed fracture around the knee can change the leg’s alignment.
Arthritis: Severe wear and tear on the outside of the knee joint can cause the leg to gradually bow inward.
Bone Diseases: Conditions like rickets (vitamin D deficiency) or bone infections.
When Should You See a Doctor?
You don’t necessarily need treatment just because your knees touch. However, you should schedule an evaluation with an orthopedic specialist if you experience:
Pain in the knee, hip, or ankle.
A limp or difficulty walking and running.
Knee instability (feeling like your knee might “give out”).
One leg that appears much more angled than the other.
Pain that gets worse with exercise or standing for long periods.
The Solution: Surgical Correction
If physical therapy, weight management, or special shoe inserts aren’t enough to relieve your pain, we may recommend a surgical procedure called an Osteotomy (which simply means “bone cutting”).
How the Surgery Works
The goal of the surgery is to straighten the leg so that your body weight is distributed evenly across the knee joint again.
The Correction: The surgeon makes a small, precise cut in the bone just above or below the knee.
The Realignment: The bone is gently wedged open or closed to straighten the leg perfectly.
The Support: To hold the bone in its new, straight position while it heals, the surgeon uses a small, specialized metal plate and screws.
Think of it like fixing a leaning tree by adjusting the soil at its base and bracing it so it grows straight. By correcting the angle, we take the heavy pressure off the damaged part of your knee, relieving pain and protecting the joint from future arthritis.
The Road to Recovery
Modern surgical techniques have made recovery safer and more predictable than ever before. Here is what you can generally expect:
Right After Surgery: You will likely spend a night or two in the hospital. We will ensure your pain is well managed.
Getting Around: You will use crutches or a walker for a few weeks to keep heavy weight off the healing bone.
Physical Therapy: This is a crucial step! You will work with a physical therapist to safely regain your knee’s range of motion and rebuild the strength in your leg muscles.
Most patients can return to their normal daily activities within a few months, enjoying a straighter leg, a more stable knee, and a significant reduction in pain.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
You don’t have to live with knee pain. If you are concerned about your leg alignment or want to explore your treatment options, we are here to help.
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