What to do when the baby's legs are bowed?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Doctor Nguyen Thai Ngoc Chau - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology, Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital.
Bowling occurs in most young children. The curve of the leg usually heals on its own by the time a child is 2 years old. The cause of bows is that toddlers often wobble from side to side instead of moving forward, causing the legs to become bowled.

1. What is a bow leg?

Bowel leg is a condition in which the legs are bent, which means that the knees are far apart even when the ankles are close together. Bowel legs are also known as congenital genu varum.
Bowel legs can be a sign of a number of other conditions, such as Blount's disease or rickets, which can lead to arthritis in the knees and hips. Treatment options include brace, cast, or surgery to correct bone abnormalities.
Bowel legs appear a lot in babies because the legs are bent when the space in the womb is too tight. Usually, babies with bow tie do not need treatment. Babies' legs start to straighten when they're toddlers, usually between 12-18 months old. For children over 2 years old and still having bows, they should contact a doctor for examination and treatment.

2. What to do when the baby has bow legs?

Treatment is usually recommended for infants and toddlers unless an associated illness has been identified. Treatment may also be recommended if the condition worsens, or if other comorbidities are diagnosed. Treatment options include:
Special shoes Brace Casting Surgery to correct bone abnormalities Treatment of diseases or conditions causing the disease.

3. Causes of bow legs

3.1 Blount's Disease Blount's disease is also known as tibia vara, when a child's shin develops abnormally. As babies begin to walk, their legs will be more prone to bending.
Blount's disease can manifest itself early, but in some cases symptoms are not noticeable until the child reaches adolescence. Over time, bow legs can lead to knee problems.
Blount's disease is more common in women, African-Americans, and children with obesity. Children who start walking early are at higher risk. A normal child should start walking on his own between 11-14 months of age.
3.2 Rickets Rickets is caused by a prolonged lack of vitamin D. The disease softens and weakens the bones, causing bows in the legs.
3.3 Paget's disease Paget's disease is a metabolic disease that adversely affects bone healing. As a result, the bone cannot be restored to its original state. Over time, this can lead to bow legs and other health problems. Paget's disease is more common in older adults and can be successfully treated if diagnosed and treated early.
3.4 Dwarfism Dwarfism is caused by a condition called achondroplasia. This is a bone growth disorder that can result in bones not being able to grow.
3.5 Other causes Bow legs can also be the result of:
Fractures that are not healing properly Bone growth abnormalities or bone dysplasia Lead poisoning Fluoride poisoning

4. Signs to identify bow legs

Bow legs are easily recognized. That's when you stand up straight, with your ankles touching but your knees not touching. Bow legs are symmetrical.
In children, most cases of the disease begin to appear when the child is 12-18 months old. You should talk to your doctor if your child's legs are still bent or the condition worsens beyond 2 years of age.

5. Diagnosing bow legs

Your doctor can tell you the severity and risk of illness involved by taking your measurements and observing your steps. In addition, the doctor may also order X-rays or other imaging tests to detect abnormalities in the legs and knees. Blood tests may also be ordered if your doctor suspects you have rickets or Paget's disease.

6. How to prevent bow legs

Currently, there are no specific measures to prevent the risk of bow legs. In some cases, you can prevent the conditions that cause the disease. For example, you can prevent rickets by making sure your child gets enough vitamin D, through both diet and sun exposure. You should take your child to the doctor if the foot is still bent after 2 years of age. Early diagnosis and detection of bow legs will help you better control your child's condition.
Arthritis is a major consequence of bow legs and can be disabling. Severe bowing affects the knees, feet, ankles and hip joints because of the unbalanced pressure exerted on them.
If a person needs a complete knee replacement at a young age, bone reshaping will likely have to be done as they get older. Performing knee surgery in such people can be difficult because of the surgeries they have undergone and because of the abnormal alignment of the bones.
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