Bow Legs no More Pdf Remedy Exercises Download 1 | Page 78

degeneration of knee joints and is called osteoarthritis of the knee. The
primary deformity in genu varum is inward bowing of the knee.
Secondary deformities develop in the tibia and the foot and patients
complains of pain during walking, standing etc. limps may be present
and this leads to difficulty in carrying act ivies of daily living. In general
bow legs are common in elderly people and are commonly due to
osteoarthritis of the knee.
In case of bow legs the patient is examined in a sleeping position with
knee extended, patella facing the ceiling and the ankles touching each
other. If the separation of knee exceeds more than 3cm or it is unilateral,
one should investigate for bow legs. Again a line is drawn from the outer
aspect of the hip called the anterosuperior iliac spine through the centre
of patella to inner side of the ankle called the medial alveolus.
Normally all the structures are in the same line but in case of bow legs
the medial alveolus is medial to this line. Now for more accurate
assessment, the angle of genu verum is calculated by the doctor on a
standing radiograph of the whole limb. In case of genu varum the
distance between the inner knees is more than the normal 3cms.
Radiograph of the whole limb should be done to assess the severity of
bow legs or genu varum but also helps to know the extent of the disease
of the knee especially osteoarthritis of the knee. Plain X ray of the knee
helps to know the extent of bow legs or genu varum and also the disease
like the osteoarthritis of the knee.
In general the treatment of bow legs is non operative and conservative
until four years of age. During this age knee ankle foot orthotics with the
medial bar and the lateral strap are used. Correction of the early
deformity is done by dynamic bracing or splints. However after four
years, significant deformity should be corrected by surgery.