When the knee joint bone angles away and out from the body’s middle line, a lower leg deformity known as valgus knee, also known as knock knee, persists. This deformation refers to a valgus angle equivalent to or greater than 10°.

The valgus deformation is caused by anatomical variations such as soft tissue elongation and bone tissue remodeling.

With time, the unequal balance of force it exerts on the knees can lead to pain, joint destruction, and rapid-onset knee arthritis. Treatment of the deformity will enhance knee procedures and walking capacity, reduce aches, and prevent a fast progression of destruction to the knee.

What Causes Valgus’s Knee?

An underlying congenital or progressive disease, an infectious attack, or a traumatic knee concussion can all cause valgus knees. Common sources of valgus knees include:

• Metabolic disorder

• Kidney (renal) failure

• physical stress (injury)

• Arthritis, particularly in the knee.

• Bone deformation (osteomyelitis)

• Rickets is a bone disorder that arises from a lack of vitamin D.

• Congenital (inborn) disorders

• Growth plate damage

• Benign bone cancers

• Breakages that heal with a deformation are known as malunions.

• Being obese or overweight

What are the Symptoms of Knee Valgus?

The separation of an individual’s ankles while their knees remain together is the most visible symptom of knee valgus. Other signs and indications, including pain, are sometimes an outcome of the gait (way of walking) copied by people with knee valgus. These signs may include:

• Hip or knee pain

• Ankle or foot pain

• Since they are not touching, they are standing with their knees joined.

• Sore or stiff joints

• a limp during a walk

• Decreased range of mobility in the hips

• difficulty running or walking. 

• knee instability

• Younger people develop knee arthritis.

How is it Diagnosed?

When knee valgus is present in an individual, it’s important to notice if there’s a related cause. A bone disorder or arthritis will demand treatment.

Your knee pain doctor in Dallas will ask questions related to family medical records as well as whether you’re experiencing any discomfort. If you are, they’ll need to know where the ache you’re sensing is located.

During a physical test, your doctor might observe how you walk or stand. They’ll additionally look to analyze:

• Unequal leg length

• your knee positioning angle

• Your footwear may exhibit uneven wear on the soles.

In some instances, your doctor might order an MRI scan or X-ray to observe your bone structure.

How is a Knock Knee Treated?

For less severe cases of knee valgus, bracing may realign the knees. When this might not show effects, or if the individual is an adult at the time of identification, an osteotomy to reposition the knee (generally in the tibia but most often in the femur, or either both), is performed to delay or prevent the need for knee alignment.

Before beginning any orthopedic alignment, we will address any related disease or concussion causing knee valgus. In children or adults, treatment for medium cases of knee valgus may include braces to support bone development in the correct alignment.

If a progressive correction does not happen, surgery might be suggested. Growing individuals may use guided-growth, reduced-incision surgery to support the leg as it slowly grows straight.

Surgical options for Knock Knees

In the uncommon event that automatic growth doesn’t align with your child’s knee valgus, their healthcare expert may recommend surgical procedures.

Guided Growth Surgery

Guided growth surgery aligns knee valgus by slowing the development on the turned side of the bone so that the opposite side can catch up. The health care experts implant small steel devices on the inner area of the growth plates surrounding the knees. The outside of the knees may continue to develop, which will lead to the development of straighter legs.

Children typically undergo guided growth surgery as they reach puberty, before their adolescent growth era. This is generally around age 11 for females and 13 for males.

Guided growth surgery is regarded as an outpatient procedure. Children may manage the weight on their legs quickly and return to movement a few days after the process.

Osteotomy Surgery

Osteotomy surgery can correct more extreme deformities or knee valgus that often do not improve on their own, even after a child has finished growing. This surgery aims to align the legs by changing the bone angle. A healthcare expert realigns or cuts the bone below or above the knee.

Conclusion

The majority of individuals with knee valgus get better without surgical treatments and have a very positive, prolonged outlook. For those who undergo surgical procedures for severe forms of the issue, the prognosis is equally promising. The surgical and conventional procedures are quite secure, and children’s bones generally heal rapidly and more reliably as compared to adults.

Some individuals with severe knee valgus that doesn’t get better or is due to any hidden condition (pathologic valgus) might not receive treatment but develop knee aches, meniscal tears, kneecap dislocation, or cartilage breakdown (arthritis).

However, in Dallas, pain management surgeons can provide a specialized treatment approach for comprehensive management of knee valgus.