What Are the Causes of Knock Knees?

Knock knees are described as an abnormal curve of the legs that causes the knees to touch, or to come close to touching while the feet are apart. Knock Knees are common in babies and young children around 2 and 3 years of age. It is a part of normal development that often goes until the child is 5 or 6 years old, at which point their legs start to fully straighten. Sometimes knock knees can be the symptom of an underlying bone disease like rickets, which is caused by a lack of vitamin D, calcium or phosphorous.

Causes

• Knock knees can develop as a result of a toddler trying to maintain balance when he is first learning how to walk. Obesity is also a risk factor for knock knees.

Significance

• Knock knees can sometimes cause some difficulty in movement, muscle and bone strain, and pain from the ankles being overstressed.

Treatments

• Usually treatment is not recommended for children under the age of 8. Heel raises, special shoes, braces, physical therapy or surgery can be recommended for cases of knock knees that continue into adolescence.

Prevention

• There is no known way to prevent normal knock knees.

Fun Fact

• Both knees generally lean inward to the same degree; however, sometimes one knee may not lean in as far as the other, or may even be straight.