Bow leg

Bow legs or Genu Varum a condition in which the legs curve outwards, producing a gap between the knees when standing.

Bow legs can be quite marked in toddlers and a cause of concern for parents. However, the condition normally resolves by the'age of one and a half to two years and requires investigation only if it persists or becomes more pronounced.

Causes of Bow leg

In bow legs the knees are more widely apart than the rest of the leg. It is common in small children, who simply grow out of it, but in some people the bowing continues into adulthood.

Bowing may develop later in life, as arthritis breaks down the inner (medial) aspect of the knee joint, often due to a meniscus having been removed some years earlier ('medial compartment' arthritis).

In countries where diet and health may be poor, bow legs may also occur from such things as scurvy.

Treatment of Bow leg or Genu Varum

In the majority of cases where the condition is not caused by a disease, the only treatment provided will likely be observation. In the other cases, braces or surgery may be needed.

For children under the age of 3 years, who have tibia vara, a brace may be needed for one year. In 50% - 80% of these cases, the braces correct the problem. In older children, surgery may be recommended to prevent osteoarthritis.