Dhealthwellness.com – There are several treatment options for knocked knees. A physiologic correction is a treatment option for knock-knees that are caused by a loose joint. However, pathologic correction is required if a knock-knee is the result of a disease. Such conditions include posttraumatic fractures, rickets, skeletal dysplasias, and neoplasms. In most cases, treatment is not permanent and requires surgery or bracing.
Orthopedic Surgery for Knee Constraints
Orthopedic surgery for knock knees can improve symptoms and improve overall health. Surgical repair of knock knees involves cutting a portion of the bone and inserting an internal or external device. The surgeon will then choose the right device for the patient based on the severity of the deformity. Physical therapy usually requires a period of physical therapy and the patient will return to normal activities after several weeks. The treatment can also include weight loss and Yoga, which can reduce the pressure on the knees.
Surgical treatment is necessary for patients with severe knock knees. If the condition is mild, knock knees are unlikely to cause pain. However, if the condition persists, it may lead to knee pain and even damage to the kneecap. As children grow, the chances of developing arthritis increase. If knock knees are not treated early, they may lead to underlying bone diseases. In some cases, knock knees can be a sign of a serious bone condition or a genetic disease.
Genetics is the most common cause of knock knees in children. If your child’s knees are genetically predisposed to this condition, then there’s a good chance they will straighten out naturally by age seven. However, knock knees caused by a health condition usually get worse rather than better. If you suspect a knock-knee in your child, see a doctor for an evaluation. They will likely order x-rays to examine the bones and make sure it isn’t caused by something else.
The Best Choice for Treating Knee Collisions
Surgery for knock knees is an option for treating knock knees. If the condition continues to worsen, your doctor may recommend an osteotomy, a procedure that realigns the knee. Depending on the type of surgery, knock knees can lead to arthritis and pain. The corrective procedure can correct the issue and improve walking ability. A proper surgical correction can prevent this damage from advancing rapidly. When knock knees are treated, they can prevent knee degeneration and increase mobility.
Children with extreme knock knees may require surgery. This option is only used for extreme cases. Excessive knock knees can cause pain, gait problems, and may even lead to arthritis later in life. Children are usually treated during the puberty years, at age 10 or 11, and a surgeon will implant small metal devices on the inner side of the growth plates around the knees. Afterward, the outer side will continue to grow, and the legs will become straight.
Knocked knees, also known as genu valgum, are a normal part of growing. Knocked knees may occur due to a lack of bone growth, overpronation, or injury to the shin. For more severe cases, bracing may be necessary. Children with rickets or Blount’s disease may also require surgery. While knocked knees can be easily corrected with bracing, children with a history of rickets or a family history of rickets and knocked knees may need surgery.
Prescribing Specific Exercises to Help Fix Problems
Children with mild knock knees often do not need medical treatment. In the early stages of the disease, close observation is the best approach. Children may also be afflicted with rickets, which results in a lack of vitamin D in the body. A doctor can prescribe a vitamin D supplement and calcium-rich foods to strengthen the bones. Children with knock knees typically grow out of the condition by the age of seven. It is important to remember that if you notice an ongoing condition, your doctor can prescribe specific exercises to help correct the problem.
If knock-knees persist for more than a few years, it is best to see a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. An X-ray or physical examination will determine whether knock-knees are an underlying problem. If your child is older and has significant knock-knees, the condition may require surgery. A pediatric orthopedic surgeon can diagnose knock-knees using a physical examination and diagnostic tools.
Reference:
