What is Bow-Leggedness ?

 The condition known as bow-legs is one in which one or both of the legs bow outwards at the knee. In patients who have bow-legs, the tibia (shin bone) and sometimes the femur (thigh bone) are bent.

Bow-legs can be a normal stage of development in children under the age of three. However, if bow-legs persist and do not naturally resolve themselves, treatment may be required.

If your child is under three years old, bow-legs will likely fix themselves. Monitor your child as they grow and develop to make sure the bow in their legs is diminishing. If you notice any irregularity in their gait as they begin walking, talk with your pediatrician.

• Note that "watching and waiting" is the mainstay of treatment for young children with bow-legs.
• The key is to have regular check-ups with your child's doctor, to ensure that an intervention (such as casting the legs or, in severe cases, surgery) can be obtained promptly if they do not resolve on their own.