Knock knees OR Genu Valgum

Knock knees is a condition in which the knees touch, but the ankles do not touch. The legs turn inward.
In the valgum deformity, the knees are tilted toward the midline i.e Legs curve inwardly so that the knees are closer
together than normal. It can result from injury or septic destruction of the lateral half of the lower femoral epiphyseal
plate, results in arrested growth of the lateral condyle of the femur.
The continued growth of the medial condyle results in unilateral knock knees.
The typical gait pattern is circumduction, requiring that the individual swing each leg outward while walking in order
to take a step without striking the planted limb with the moving limb. ot only are the mechanics of gait
compromised but also, with significant angular deformity, anterior and medial knee pain are common.
These symptoms reflect the pathologic strain on the knee and its patellofemoral e!tensor mechanism.
Bilateral Valgum deformity can result from condition which softens bone tissue.
Causes -
1. Rickets
2. Osteomalacia
3. Rheumatoid rthritis
!. "n#ury of the shinbone $only one leg will be knock-kneed%
&. 'uscular (aralysis of semimembranosus or semitendinosus
). *racture
+. 'ay be secondary to flat foot, osteoarthritis
Diagnostic test
-he . angle which is formed by a line drawn from the antero-su(erior iliac s(ine through the center of the (atella and a line drawn from the center
of the (atella to the center of the tibial tubercle, should be measured ne/t. "n women, the . angle should be less than 22 degrees with the knee in
e/tension and less than 0 degrees with the knee in 01 degrees of fle/ion. "n men, the . angle should be less than 12 degrees with the knee in
e/tension and less than 2 degrees with the knee in 01 degrees of fle/ion.
Treatment of Genu Valgum
3egree of deformity, muscle chart and RO' are measured. "n mild cases of 4enu Valgum in young children,
wearing of boots with the inner side of heel raised by 3526 inch and elongated forward heel $Robert 7ones heels%
corrects the deformity.
"n more com(licated cases, the child re8uires a su(racondyles closed wedge osteotomy.
Post operative Physiotherapy
4radual knee mobilization is the main (art of the treatment.
9ome heat modalities may be gi:en for relief of (ain.
trengthening e!ercises for "uadriceps, hamstrings and gluteus muscles are gi:en.
;hen the (atient is able to walk, he is gi:en correct training for standing, balancing, weight
transferring and walking.