Knock knee, medically referred to as genu valgum, is a malalignment of the knee that can be caused by a variety of reasons. Knock knees may be acquired after trauma, or simply inherited, and if treatment is not received, it frequently results in discomfort and degeneration of the knee. 

All age groups with knock knees experience growing deformity, instability, and progressive deterioration in the condition. When you have knock knees, there is a space of at least 8 centimeters between the ankles if you stand with your knees together, and the knees will seem to press closer to one another than what’s normal. However, there are treatments that can fix this condition and give the patients a better life.  

What is Knock Knees?

Legs with knock knees bend inward at the knee, frequently making it impossible for the ankles to come together without moving one knee in front of the other. Understanding normal leg alignment is crucial to comprehending knock knees, also known as genu valgum, because when a person stands in a typical position, the ankles, knees, and hips should all fall in a straight line. Stated differently, a line drawn from the hip to the ankle crosses through the middle of the knee, but knock knees occur when that line extends to the outside of the knee.  

Some babies are born with knock knees, and when the kid learns to walk, which happens at around 12 months, the legs need to straighten. If the legs don't straighten, the child keeps falling because the child's ankles stay apart, yet their knees are in contact when they stand. However, knock knees in adults can also happen, which is usually caused by injury of the shinbone, metabolic disease, obesity, bone infection, arthritis, physical trauma, etc.  

5 Fixes that Can Help Cure Knock Knees 

It is important to remember that knock knees should be treated before the situation gets too bad. Knock knees are characterized by abnormal overloading of one or both knees in individuals of various ages, and pain, further bone deformation, knee instability, and eventual deterioration of the knee joint can result from this high strain. 

Patients who have knock knees for a long time tend to strain the medial collateral ligament and overload the lateral compartment of the knee. These stresses may result in arthritis, discomfort, and knee instability, particularly complicated patellofemoral instability. Let us discuss the five most effective fixes for knock knees that can improve the condition. 

1. Bracing 

Bracing is a helpful knock knees treatment since it can realign the knees in children and adolescents with mild occurrences of knock knees. In the case the patient is diagnosed as an adult, bracing may not work too well, and they may eventually need a knee-realignment osteotomy to postpone or avoid the necessity for a knee replacement. Before beginning bracing treatment, any illness or infection that may be the underlying cause of the knock knees will be treated.

Children and teenagers with mild symptoms of knock knees may also benefit from braces in another way since bracing can help their bones grow into the proper positions without stress. If the problem does not get better gradually, surgery can be suggested even for children. A developing child may benefit from guided-growth minimal-incision surgery to help the leg grow straighter over time.

2. Physical Activity

Numerous studies suggest that exercise can assist in strengthening the tendons in the legs and aid patients with knock-knee to improve their posture as well as their balance. There is little evidence to suggest that this knock knees treatment cures children affected by the condition, but research suggests that this may help the children in multiple other ways. 

A person should always get medical advice before starting to exercise to cure knock knees. Based on a patient's stride and particular symptoms, a physician or physical therapist can advise on what type of exercises would be beneficial. Exercises for strength and resistance that people can perform include side lunges, wall squats, and other similar activities.  

3. Medications 

Medication is sometimes used in order to improve leg alignment, but a doctor must address any underlying diseases that may be the cause of the knock knees in the patient. They could take vitamins and prescription drugs as part of a therapy plan. However, this condition cannot be completely cured by medication alone.

4. Weight Loss and Orthotics 

Weight loss is another cure for knock knees when the knee condition is exacerbated in an individual who is overweight. Carrying more weight strains the knees and legs more, making the knock-knee condition worse. An overweight person's doctor will probably advise them to reduce weight by combining food and exercise to cure knock knees. 

To assist improve a person's gait, the way their foot contacts the ground when they walk or run, orthodontia inserts are put into their shoes. When one leg is longer than the other due to genu valgum, this might be quite beneficial. For certain overweight people, orthotics may be recommended by their doctors because the purpose of the orthotics is to assist in the proper alignment of the bones.

5. Surgery

When a person has knock knees, surgery is not usually the initial course of therapy because it is often saved for severe situations. Surgery can only be a cure for knock knees when discomfort cannot be relieved by stretching, exercise, weight loss, or any other method.

Physicians employ a technique known as guided growth surgery on young people with this condition, and a tiny metal piece is inserted into the knee by a surgeon. The bone grows more correctly in the direction directed by this metal plate, and later, the metal plate is removed during another surgery when the bone has been properly positioned. 

Osteotomies are also used in adult patients, and a tiny metal plate is inserted into the knee, but to maintain the knee's proper alignment, the plate serves as a lifelong brace. A knee replacement may be advised by a physician in exceptional circumstances, and a properly positioned artificial knee joint will treat the knock knees in this instance. 

Final Remarks

When children are born with knock knees, most of them recover before they enter adolescence. However, if it doesn’t go away, other treatment options can help cure the problem. The most common type of treatment for older kids and adults is probably a combination of strengthening exercises and stretches that straighten the knees and reduce discomfort. Orthotics or braces may also provide relief for certain individuals.

Surgery is typically the last choice for treating knock knees because alternative therapies usually work better, and surgery is only reserved for more severe situations. It's crucial to treat knock knees in kids and adults because without treatment, osteoporosis and other health issues impacting the joints and muscles can arise later in life.