Bow Legs Symptoms and Treatment

What are bow legs?

Bow legs are outward curving of legs, also known as Genu varum. People are usually concerned about this syndrome when their toddler learns to walk on their growing phase. However, it is considered to be normal in infants or toddlers, since it is the normal growing pattern of skeletal system.

If Bow legs are not treated in their early stages, it may lead to arthritis in the knees or hips over time.

If you are suffering from bow legs and need an immediate treatment, there is a Paediatric Orthopaedic expert doctor in Kolkata who can help you get rid of bow legs forever.

Cause

Bow legs may be a symptom of rickets in rare cases or other medical conditions which may require treatment.

Rickets is a disease that generally occurs due to a deficiency of vitamin D. It is an essential vitamin required for the growth of the skeleton. Rickets was common disease years ago, but these days its occurrence is infrequent. However, it may still occur. Breast fed infants are at a high risk when they lack to receive vitamin D from mother.

Blount’s disease is another medical condition showing a symptom of bow legs. Blount’s disease is a condition the upper portion of the lower leg bone (tibia) does not develop properly. This condition worsens with severe bow legged syndrome.

Bow legs may also turn to knock-knees with the growth of the child. Knock-knees are matter of concern if the knees bend severely inward.

Bow legs may also be caused due to fractures that have not healed yet.

It may also be caused due to internal bacterial infections, and due to calcium deficiency.

People suffering from the disease and residing in Kolkata may find an easy solution to the disease by consulting a good Paediatric Orthopaedic doctor in Kolkata.

Symptoms

• The child possess severe outward bending of legs, knees do not touch while the child is standing with his ankles joined or walking
• The child face problem in walking or running
• Bowing of legs persist after the of three in the child
• Sometimes only one leg is bowed severely
• The child has pain in legs
• The child is unusually short for their age

Prevention

Bow legs can be prevented by checking the deficiency of vitamin D in the child.

Adequate calcium intake also reduces the chances of bow legs.

Treatment

Though bow legs are common in infants or toddler to a certain age to which treatment is not required, but it needs to be ruled out if it continues after 3 years of age to prevent the disease associated with it. Braces and shoes do not help much in these conditions. However, there is a modern treatment available like Hemiepiphysiodesis which is a growth modulation treatment by ‘8’ plate of these disorders. It is basically a cosmetic procedure to minimal the scar and morbidity. Bowing gets corrected gradually with the growth of the child.

This cosmetic procedure can be done under the medical supervision of doctors. One of the well-known PaediatricOrthopaedic expert doctors in Kolkata who is well experienced and can perform this modern treatment like Hemiepiphysiodesis is Dr. Soumya Paik.

Most Common Orthopedic Conditions Affecting Children

About Dr. Soumya Paik

Dr. Soumya Paik did his MBBS from Medical College Kolkata. He completed masters (MS) in orthopaedics from the Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research, Kolkata, popularly known as SSKM Hospital/PG hospital. He was awarded the “P.T. Rao Gold Medal Award, 2011” from Indian Orthopaedic Association.

For further details regarding the contacts, clinics and appointment please visit kidsorthopedic.com