What Are Knock Knees?
Medically referred to as Genu valgum Knock knees is a condition wherein the knees bend inwards touching one another and the ankles being separated from each other. This usually occurs among younger children, and normally improves itself spontaneously by the age of about 7 years old. Their legs will eventually straighten, but there are times that this develops or lingers when they become older, resulting from such conditions like growth disorders, vitamin D deficiency, obesity, or even arthritis. Such conditions might have resulted from injuries, infections, or genetic disorders.
Typically, mildest cases of knock knees may not pose any discomfort or problem. However, an extreme form of it is associated with pain around the knee area, complications of walking, or a possible shift of extra pressure at other parts, such as on the ankles and the hips.
Diagnosis of Knock Knees
Knock knees are diagnosed by checking the alignment of the knees through physical examination. A clinician asks the individual to stand with the straight legs and feet together. Knock knees will touch the knees, but there should be space between the ankles. The “intermalleolar distance” or space between the inner ankles sometimes is used to estimate severity.
Past Medical History: This would include the history of growth since childhood. Family history of any condition, previous trauma, or conditions like arthritis.
X-rays and Imaging: If the misalignment is major, or there is a feeling that the bone itself may be affected, then the patient might need to be sent for X-ray imaging to check the bone architecture and the angles of the knee.
Blood Tests: There may be an assumption that an underlying condition, vitamin D deficiency for example, is causing the presentation. Blood tests may prove useful in checking some deficiencies or metabolic conditions about the bone.
The diagnosis procedure can help determine the treatment best suited for the person: from observation and modification of lifestyle to corrective action like physical therapy or even surgery, if necessary.
Treatment for Knock Knees
The treatment of knock knees will depend on the age of the individual, the degree of the condition, and whether there are any other medical conditions that may be present. In some cases, especially in children, mild knock knees resolve without any treatment. But treatment may include:
- Non-Surgical Treatments:
- Bracing: Bracing is the placement of a child in a brace, depending on when the child was diagnosed. The bracing will provide guidance and improve the knees’ position as the child grows.
- Physical Therapy: The exercises should strengthen muscles around the knee, increase stability, and allow for good alignment. A personal exercise program, designed with the input of a physical therapist, helps achieve the optimal balance between muscles and mechanics of joints.
- Weight Management: Being a non-obese individual would take stress away from the knees, maintaining joint health.
- Medications:
- Pain medicines and OTC anti-inflammatory medications would occasionally alleviate pain around the knee region.
- Surgical Options:
- Other surgical procedures in adults lineup the knee joint through osteotomy that sometimes eliminate or minimize the pain in one of the knees.
Early intervention is useful for effective management of knock knees without complications and in appropriate follow-up by the health provider to optimize outcome.
Prevention of Knock Knees
Prevention of knock knees is associated with lifestyle practices and good bone health in the early stages, specifically when growth is faster, mainly in childhood. Preventive measures include
Proper Nutrition: A diet balanced with adequate calcium and vitamin D can strengthen your bones. Some of the foods that can improve or enhance bone health include dairy, leafy greens, fatty fish, and even fortified cereals.
Encourage Regular Activities: Exercise strengthens muscles about the knee, therefore putting these in proper alignment for better health. These involve activities such as walking or cycling and swimming to train the legs and support all joints. Weight-bearing exercise and flexibility routines are additional elements that will help maintain healthy muscles.
Desirable Weight: Overweight/obese people have unnecessary pressure on the knees that can worsen the misaligned knee. Proper diet and regular exercise helps to reach a desirable weight, relieving the excessive pressure from the joints.
Follow-up on a Child’s Growth: Child follow-ups will monitor and note the growth of any child. And help track earlier symptoms of misalignment. Children should be nurtured to raise concerns with the attending physician about the alignment of their legs.
Shoe Selection: Supportive shoes offer stability and alignment of the walk or run. Avoiding high heels as well as other unsupportive footwear would ensure proper positioning of the legs. And reduction of chances for injuries.
Preventive measures may be to avoid these injuries through proper formation of the bones, as well as the prevention of knock knees. To maintain proper placement of joints in life. Prevention efforts could be supported and monitored further with regular follow-up on health checkups.