Varus knees – causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Proven content

Varus knee is a condition that is the opposite of valgus. It is a deformity more common than valgus and occurs in childhood and is usually bilateral. The main causes of varus knees are rickets and Blount’s disease. It also occurs in overweight healthy children who started walking too early.

Varus knees – definition

Varus knee is a condition characterized by an arched knee. The thighs and feet are below each other, while the knees are outward in relation to them, which gives the legs an “O” shape. The main causes are rickets and Blount’s disease. It also occurs in overweight healthy children who started walking too early. This excess weight causes that the weight of the body becomes too much of a burden on the soft bone of the child.

Knee varus can be a natural condition in children up to the age of two (they developed in this way while still in the womb). In the preschool period, this state is reversed and the knees bend the other way. Then they are shaped like the letter “X”, but this should disappear by the age of 10. If the child’s knee curves persist until puberty, then this may indicate pathology. A child with varus knee should be under the constant care of a pediatrician and an orthopedist.

Note: Varus knees can often be seen in older women. They are then a symptom of advanced degenerative changes in the knee joints.

Varus knees – causes

The most common causes of varus knees include:

1. walking too early (without crawling);
2. lack of an adequate amount of vitamin D in the body;
3. Blount’s disease;
4. rickets of the legs occurring in the early childhood period,
5. overloading the lower limbs;
6. overweight in children;
7. sitting too long in Turkish.

What symptoms indicate varus knees?

Varus knees can be identified by:

1. not touching the knees when the child takes an upright posture with feet and ankles together,
2. shorter tibial collateral ligament,
3. twisting the limbs inwards in the hip joint,
4. hypertrophy in the knee joints,
5. separation of the medial condyles by a maximum of 3 cm,
6. symmetrical knee non-joint,
7. not joining the knees while standing with the feet together, which continues after the age of 3,
8. stretching of the peroneal muscles and the biceps muscle of the thigh and contracture of the flexors.

How to recognize varus knees?

A medical history is necessary for the proper diagnosis of varus knees. The doctor will ask about:

1. the child’s daily diet,
2. family history
3. injuries in childbirth.

In addition, during the diagnosis, a radiological examination is performed, which reveals whether there has been any damage or deformation of the bones. A family history of knee varus may indicate that the disease is genetic.

Varus knees – treatment

Benign varus knees correct spontaneously (even in children under 2 years of age). The ailment worsens at the stage of intense growth and is usually bilateral. Contrary to valgus, sitting in Turkish is contraindicated in varus. One of the exercises for varus knees is the use of passive editing, which involves inserting a cushion between the ankles and then tightening the knees with a belt or some tape. The intensity of this type of exercise should always be selected by a specialist. Special boots with inserts as well as skiing or skating are also used.

Corrective therapy using an orthopedic apparatus is recommended in more severe cases of varus knees. In extreme cases, a surgical procedure is performed, e.g. corrective osteotomy, which is placed on the cut of the bone, and then its appropriate position for healing.

Important! It is forbidden to lift heavy objects, as this will aggravate the defect. The same goes for cycling and swimming.

Supporting after the procedure and prophylactically worth ordering the OS1st KS7 compression knee bandage available in various sizes at Medonet Market.

Examples of corrective exercises for varus knees

The best exercises for correcting a deformity knee defect are:

– tightening the buttocks and joining the knees in a standing position;

– sitting on a bench and putting the bag between your knees and then trying to straighten your legs;

– putting a rubber ball between the knees in a bent, supported seat, and then crushing the ball with your knees;

– lie down front and then put a handkerchief between your feet; lifting straight legs up – bearing;

– lying on the front. Movement – tightening of the gluteal muscles with an attempt to join the knees;

– lying on your back, putting the bag between your knees, and then drawing circles to the left and right;

– lying on the back. Movement – raising straightened legs and joining them;

– lying with the back, legs apart, and then joining the lower limbs by bending the knees inwards, the feet outwards;

– standing slightly apart and bending the knees (half-squat) while bringing the knees closer to each other by pressing the hands on the side area of ​​the knees;

– stand up to the ladders (wall) and then lift the bent leg upwards diagonally across the opposite leg;

– taking a straight sit down, and then binding your legs at the knees; raise your legs with maximum muscle tone;

Read also: Knee to be replaced