A 35-year-old member asked:
need expert advice. what in is knock kneed and what is bow legged? are they related?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Cheryl Coldwateranswered
Pediatrics 38 years experience
Somewhat similar: Knock-kneed is when the knees are closer together, and the lower part of the leg may be angled away from the center line of the body. This may result in the knees "knocking" together (or rubbing together) when walking or running.
Bow-legged is when the knees are farther apart from the midline, and the lower legs angle inward. It can also be caused by rickets or other deficiencies.
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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A 35-year-old member asked:
How do you tell if you're bow legged or knock kneed?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. George Gantsoudesanswered
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery 17 years experience
See an orthopaedist: A physical exam is the easiest way to do this. If you have bow legs (genu varum) your knees are bowed outward. Genu valgum is knock-knees, and the knees angle inward. If any question remains, an x-ray can help.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
What is knock kneed? What is bow legged?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Robert Coats IIanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 23 years experience
Knee position: Someone who is bow-legged has knees thy point away from each other. This can be due to an orthopaedic condition such as blount's disease or from arthritis. Knock knees are the opposite direction and point towards each other, this is the less common condition. See a board certified orthopaedic surgeon for evaluation and treatment.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
What's the difference between being knock kneed and bow legged?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Tanya Russoanswered
Pediatrics 25 years experience
Opposites!: Knock knees (genu valgum) appears as if the knees are bent inward while the lower legs are splayed outward. Bow legged (genu varum) people have legs that appear as if they were straddling a barrel.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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Last updated Sep 29, 2016
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