Knock knees

If you have knock knees, there is a gap between the ankles when you stand with your knees together. Credit: MIKE DEVLIN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/266657/view You do not have knock knees if there is no gap between the ankles when you stand with your knees together. Most people will not have any other symptoms. But sometimes, if your knock knees are severe or caused by another condition, you may have knee or leg pain, or difficulty walking.

Knock knees usually gets better as children grow and their legs straighten. Most children do not need any treatment, but sometimes physiotherapy or treatment from a foot specialist (podiatrist) may be recommended. Sometimes, if knock knees cause problems such as pain or difficulty walking, you may be referred to a specialist for tests to see what might be causing it. Rarely, surgery to straighten the knees and legs may be recommended.

Knock knees in children is a normal part of growth and development, and it usually gets better as they get older. But in some children and adults it may be caused by something else, such as: an injury to the knees or legs osteomyelitis (a bone infection) arthritis vitamin D deficiency some genetic conditions which affect the joints such as joint hypermobility syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndromes