Bowlegs
Bowlegs, called genu varum (genu means knee, varum means inwards) is the condition where the knees are wide apart when the feet are together. It is normal in toddlers. It is caused by bowing of the tibia - the bones between the knee and the feet. Rarely it is caused by Rickets. Knock-knees, called genu valgum, is the condition where the feet are wide apart while the knees are together. It is a common finding in normal children and usually resolves before there are 10. Persistent knock-knees or bowlegs may need physiotherapy or surgical correction in order to prevent the possibility of early development of arthritis affecting the knees.
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