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Valgus knees occur when the distance between the medial ankles of the shin is more than five centimeters with the knees closed and extended. The diagnosis is usually made around the age of five. In treatment, it is important to choose the right corrective exercises, and in advanced cases, straightening braces.
Valgus knees – definition
Valgus knees are a lower limb defect that occurs in children. This condition is characterized by an “X” leg position and an unsteadily walking by the child and sometimes painful discomfort. In a properly built person standing on straight legs, the medial surfaces of the knees and the medial ankles should be in contact. If the thigh does not go straight into the shin, but there is an angle between them with the point facing inward, we are talking about valgus. The angle of the long axis of the thigh and shin varies throughout life. Most newborns and infants show typical varus knee varus that lasts up to 3 years of age to gradually develop into valgus. Children’s valgus decreases around the age of 6 to reach its final value after growth is complete. Valgus knees are more common in girls than in boys.
Valgus knees – causes of formation
In senile age, there is often some varus recurrence, especially in women. Knee valgus in children is the result of overloading the lower limbs in the period of rapid growth with a weak muscular-ligament apparatus at that time. They can be a consequence of flat feet.
The main causes of valgus knees are:
- muscle paralysis,
- congenital valgus,
- RA or osteoarthritis,
- improper bone fusion after a fracture of the lower part of the femur or upper part of the tibia,
- Paget’s disease,
- overweight or obese,
- occupation (the greatest risk is in jockeys),
- rickets,
- infections and tumors that negatively affect the development of the legs,
- softening of bones,
- abnormal growth of part of the thigh bone or shin bone in children, due to the rapid growth of the child.
Symptoms of valgus knees
As mentioned above, in people with valgus knees, the legs are arranged in the shape of the letter “X”. The result is that the ankles are spaced a few centimeters apart and the knees touch freely. The baby’s gait is also characteristic – unsteady and inaccurate due to the instability of the joints. Another symptom is pain and fatigue while walking.
Diagnosis and treatment of valgus knees
The main diagnostic method is a physical examination, but to be XNUMX% sure, a specialist may order an ultrasound (rarely) or an X-ray examination. Conservative treatment of valgus knees includes:
- learning how to stand and walk correctly,
- avoiding walking and standing apart for a long time,
- weight loss (if your child is overweight),
- treatment of the existing flat feet,
- sitting “in Turkish”, that is, sitting cross-legged,
- avoiding long walks
- avoiding sitting down on your knees between your heels, with your feet or lower legs facing outwards,
- the use of various types of insoles or specialized footwear with an increased heel on the inside (Thomas heel).
In addition, it is recommended to practice selected sports, e.g. cycling, corrective gymnastics, football, swimming (crawl), horse riding. In turn, skating and skiing are contraindicated.
The above-mentioned methods are used in mild valgus. It is important that the exercise plan and their intensity are selected by a therapist or doctor.
In the treatment of advanced valgus knees, the following are used:
- special rails to put on at night,
- orthopedic appliances that relieve the external roots of the knee joints.
In extreme cases, when the above methods do not bring the expected benefits – surgical procedures are necessary. It is mainly a supracondylar corrective osteotomy, which involves cutting the bones and then positioning the fragments in the correct position.
Examples of corrective exercises for valgus knees
1. Sit in a bent seat and clap with the soles of your feet.
2. Sit straight, put the ball between your knees and put your arms behind your back, then lift your hips up – move to back support.
3. Lie on your back with your feet against the wall, put the ball between your knees, and then walk your feet up the wall in a vertical line.
4. Lift the bent leg upwards outwards, alternate legs.
5. Sit cross-legged, lower your arms along your body, go to a back-lying position and come back.
6. Sit cross-legged, and then stand up with your legs crossed.
7. Make jumps with the ball between your knees.
8. Sit deep in a chair and put a pillow between your knees and tie your shins. Raise your legs horizontally and hold for up to three.
Read also: Posture defects in children – to treat or prevent?