Table of Contents
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prevention
Genu varum
Treatment
No treatment is recommended for bowlegs unless the condition is extreme. The child should be seen by the health care provider at least every 6 months.
If the condition is severe or the child also has another disease, special shoes, braces, or casts can be tried. It is unclear how well these work.
At times, surgery is performed to correct the deformity in an adolescent with severe bowlegs.
Support Groups
Expectations (prognosis)
In many cases the outcome is good, and there is usually no problem walking.
Complications
Bowlegs that does not go away and is not treated may lead to arthritis in the knees or hips over time.
Calling your health care provider
Call your health care provider if your child shows persistent or worsening bowed legs after age 3.
Previous Section
Review Date: 11/12/2010
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of
Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also
reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
