Bowed Legs

Bowed Legs Specialist

A bowed leg is the result of outward curvature of the knee caused by a bone deformity and is commonly seen in toddlers and overweight adolescents. Bowed legs specialist, Dr. Kelechi Okoroha provides diagnosis and individualized non-surgical and surgical management for bowed legs in Minneapolis. Contact Dr. Okoroha’s team for an appointment today

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What is Bowed Legs?

Bowed legs is a bony deformity resulting in outward curvature of one or both knees of the lower legs. It is commonly seen in toddlers and overweight adolescents.

Children under 2 years of age may present with bowed legs (physiologic), which usually corrects itself by the age of 3 to 4. Bowed legs may be associated with Blount’s disease (an abnormality of growth plates present at the ends of long bones) and rickets (bone disease due to deficiency of vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus).

When a bowed legs is suspected, it is important to schedule an orthopedic consultation for proper examination and care. Dr. Kelechi Okoroha is a bowed legs specialist who provides detailed examination and care for patients with bowed legs in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Minnesota and beyond.

Symptoms of Bowed Legs

It is more noticeable while standing and walking with the feet together where an obvious space is noticed between the knees. In toddlers with bowed legs, the development of walking is not delayed and coordination is normal, but the gait is awkward. Bowed legs are usually painless but may cause ankle, hip and knee discomfort by adolescents due to the pressure applied on these joints. It may be associated with intoeing (inward curvature of the forefoot) and frequent tripping.

Treatment of Bowed Legs

When your child presents with the above symptoms, Dr. Okoroha will perform a thorough physical examination. Symmetric bowing before the age of 2 does not require further testing. If bowing is more prominent on one leg or your child is older than 2-1/2 years, Dr. Okoroha will order X-ray and blood tests to identify Blount’s disease or rickets.

Physiologic bowed legs do not require treatment, but Dr. Okoroha may want to examine your child every 6 months to follow its progress. Early Blount’s disease may be treated with braces. Medications and orthopedic treatment are necessary to control rickets. Surgery is recommended to correct persistent bowed legs resistant to conservative management. It involves altering the growth plates or cutting and realigning the shin bone near the knee to correct the alignment. Following surgery, physical therapy is usually recommended to improve strength and range of motion.