02/05/2025
✅ Genu Valgum (Knock-Knees) and Genu Varum (Bowlegs) are deformities of the knee joint characterized by abnormal angulation of the lower limbs.
❇️ Genu Valgum (Knock-Knees)
🔷Definition: A condition where the knees touch while the ankles remain apart when standing straight. This inward angulation of the knees creates a "knock-knee" appearance.
🔷Common Age Group: Typically seen in children aged 2–6 years, often resolving naturally by age 7.
🔷Causes:
Physiologic: Part of normal growth and development.
Pathologic: Conditions like rickets, skeletal dysplasia, or trauma.
🔷Symptoms:
Knees angle inward.
Gait disturbances or outward rotation of feet.
🔷Diagnosis: Clinical examination, supported by imaging if necessary.
🔷Treatment:
Observation for physiologic cases.
Exercises, orthotics, or surgery for persistent or pathologic cases.
❇️Genu Varum (Bowlegs)
🔷Definition: A condition where the knees remain apart while the ankles touch when standing straight. This outward bowing of the knees creates a "bow-legged" appearance.
🔷Common Age Group: Seen in infants and children under 2–3 years; usually resolves by age 6–7.
🔷Causes:
Physiologic: Normal developmental stage in infants.
Pathologic: Rickets, Blount’s disease, skeletal dysplasia, or trauma.
🔷Symptoms:
Outward bowing of knees.
Intoeing gait or clumsiness.
🔷Diagnosis: Clinical examination and radiographic imaging to assess severity and underlying causes.
🔷Treatment:
Observation for physiologic cases.
Bracing, vitamin D supplementation (for rickets), or surgical correction for severe cases.
Both conditions are often part of normal growth but may require intervention if persistent or associated with underlying pathology.
