KNOCK KNEES

Knock knees is a common condition in toddlers and becomes most obvious at around 3 years of age, disappearing by the time the child starts school. When the child stands, the knees touch but the ankles are separated by a gap of 5 cm or more. The condition is very rarely due to an underlying medical or orthopaedic cause but it can run in families. In the vast majority of cases, knock knees are considered to be normal and of no consequence. Some children may appear clumsy when they run, but most have no problems at all. Treatment is rarely required for children with knock knees. If your child is overweight, losing weight can help to resolve the problem. In more severe cases, night splinting or special shoes may be prescribed.

‘PIGEON TOES’ (IN-TOEING)

Babies and toddlers have a normal tendency towards having feet that point inward. This may also be accompanied by bowing of the legs. Pigeon toes are usually due to a particular alignment of the thigh and hip bones, which are turned inward.

This condition usually corrects itself naturally as the child grows. Very occasionally pigeon toes are seen as part of an underlying neurological condition, such as cerebral palsy.

Some toddlers and young children with pigeon toes may appear clumsy, but usually most parents come to the doctor because of concerns about the way the child’s feet look, or about marked wearing on one side of the shoes. Treatment is rarely necessary, although in severe or persistent cases, night splints or special shoes are sometimes used. Surgery is rarely necessary.

*399\90\8*