The arch leg problem, also known as varus knee, is the deformation of one or both legs that curve outward. In patients with this disorder, the tibia (shin bone) and sometimes the femur (thigh bone) are bent. Knee varus is a fairly normal disorder in children during the development phase when they are less than three years old. However, if it occurs in older children or adults, treatment may be needed.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Treatments for Children
Step 1. Wait and watch the problem evolve
If the child is less than three years old, the varus knee will most likely resolve on its own. Monitor the baby as it grows and make sure the degree of deformation decreases over time. If you notice any irregularities in your gait as soon as you start walking, talk to your pediatrician.
- Work with your pediatrician to monitor the development of the baby's legs.
- Arched legs can become a problem if left untreated. The best things to do are early diagnosis and treatment.
Step 2. Check the level of vitamin D in the child's diet
Rickets, which is caused by a lack of vitamin D, can trigger this deformity. If you increase the intake of this vitamin in your baby's diet, you will prevent rickets and may correct the varus knee, if it is already present.
- Taking vitamin D prevents the development of rickets.
- Monitor your baby's nutrition to make sure he is getting all the vitamin D he needs.
- Exposure to sunlight increases vitamin D levels.
Step 3. Consider using guardians
Orthopedic devices such as braces, shoes, or casts are often applied to treat knee varus in young children. They are used in severe cases or when the little patient suffers from other pathologies in addition to arched legs. The braces should be worn until the bones straighten.
- Remember that this type of therapy is only used in very severe cases.
- If necessary, your doctor may refer you to an orthopedic surgeon for other treatments.
Step 4. Understand the consequences of not treating
If you let the child's problem persist during the adolescent stage, the problem can become very serious. The constriction on the baby's ligaments will be even greater due to the altered shape of the ligaments in the legs and knees. This can lead to pain in the ankles, hips and / or knees. Prolonged physical activity can get really complicated and increases the chances of arthritis developing over the years.
Part 2 of 3: Treatments for Teens and Adults
Step 1. Discuss surgery with your doctor
For adults and teens with severe knee varus situations, surgery is often the only solution. This procedure changes the mutual position of the bones at the knee joint, correcting the arch and reducing the strain the cartilages have to endure. Your doctor will be able to tell you if the surgery is a good solution for your specific case.
- Thanks to the surgical procedure you will experience less pain in your knees, which will have to bear less stress.
- Recovery times are approximately one year.
Step 2. Manage the cast after surgery
After surgery to correct the varus knee, you will most likely need to wear a cast during recovery. Recovery times vary from person to person, but there are some general steps you need to follow to heal properly.
Step 3. Go to physiotherapy sessions
Your doctor will most likely recommend that you see a physical therapist after surgery. This professional will work with you to help you maintain and recover muscle strength and leg motility.
- In the post-operative phase, the physiotherapist will help you to achieve the maximum possible functionality according to your specific case.
- Although surgery is able to correct the varus knee, the surgery is very invasive and a good physiotherapy treatment is essential.
Part 3 of 3: Know the Problem Better
Step 1. Don't panic if your child has arched legs
At birth, the knees and legs are not yet fully formed; as they grow, the cartilage around the knees becomes stronger and turns into bone, providing the support needed for walking. However, if a child over the age of three or an adult still has knee varus, treatment is required.
- Arched legs should disappear by the time the child reaches three years of age.
- In older children and adults they are considered an anomaly.
- In this case it is necessary to obtain a correct diagnosis and follow treatments to correct the defect.
- To obtain good results, it is necessary to intervene promptly, without delay.
- Treatments are only needed in severe cases affecting adults and older children.
Step 2. Look for the most common causes
There are some preponderant factors that can induce the development of this disorder. These range from injury to illness and the necessary treatments depend precisely on the cause that triggered the deformity. Check the list below for some of the typical causes of knee varus:
- Any injury, fracture or trauma that has not been properly treated;
- The abnormal development of a bone;
- Fluoride or lead poisoning;
- In some cases, the deformation is caused by rickets, which in turn is due to vitamin D deficiency;
- Blount's disease is another factor responsible for this defect.
Step 3. Go to the doctor, he will be able to diagnose the problem and determine the cause
In addition, it will give you all the information on the various treatments available and the results you can expect.
- He will give you a series of x-rays to understand how the bones have sag.
- It will also have to measure the degree of deformation. In a young subject this measurement must be repeated several times over time, to understand if the pathology is worsening.
- You will have blood tests to rule out rickets.
Advice
- Only severe cases of arched legs need treatment.
- Early diagnosis, during the development of the deformity, leads to faster results and effective treatments.
