Introduction

 

Limb alignment changes through childhood, with most toddlers being a bit bow legged and kids in kindergarten often have knock knees. These variations settle into a normal range in most people and are not of any concern

 

When is limb alignment a problem?

 

Excessive bowing of the legs in young children can be from an underlying problem that needs to be diagnosed and corrected. Progressive bowing or progressive knock knee do require surgical treatment. In childhood we are able to use the concept of "guided growth". Here we place a small device across the growth plate of the bone. This changes the direction of growth and straightens the limb. The device is then removed.

 

More severe issues

 

Very rarely there are angular and rotational problems that are complex. However, with today's technology there is very little we can't fix.