Do I Have Bowlegs or Knock Knees?
If you’ve heard of the terms bowlegged or knock kneed, but are unsure
what they mean, check out our easy to understand explanation with
pictures!
Bowlegs and knock knees… those terms can conjure up quite the image in our mind. But, what do they really mean?
Bowlegs and knock knees are types of deformities of the knee joint.
Bowlegs
Normal
Knock Knees
The clinical condition for someone having bowlegs is genu
varum. It’s also often referred to as having varus knees. This
simply means that your knees stay wide apart when your ankles are
touching giving them a bowed out appearance.
Conversely, if your knees are touching but your ankles remain wide apart, it’s called knock knees. The clinical condition for someone having knock knees is genu valgum and is sometimes also referred to as valgus knees.
You may be able to tell whether or not you have bowlegs or knock knees simply by looking at your legs in the mirror. But, your doctor will be able to easily identify either condition. They may also order X-rays, blood work, or other tests to determine the cause and rule out an underlying disease.
The thing with either of these conditions is that they can
deteriorate the bone and cause arthritis in different areas of the
knee. This could eventually lead to the need for corrective treatment
like knee replacement surgery. If the condition is severe enough, knee
replacement surgery could be used simply to restore function to the
joint before arthritis is even developed.
If you’re concerned that you have bowlegs or knock knees, and wonder what your options are, talk to your doctor. They will be able to guide you along a treatment path that’s right for you.
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