Deformity correction
Knock-knee correction (genu valgum)
Knock-knees (genu valgum) leave the knees touching but the ankles apart when standing. Causes include trauma, childhood rickets, hereditary multiple exostosis and idiopathic cases — more common in women and often linked to body weight. Braces and physiotherapy rarely help, because the deformity is in the bone.
Who it suits
- Knock-knees causing thigh rubbing, lateral knee pain or appearance concerns
- Patients for whom braces or physiotherapy have not worked
Technique highlights
- Corrected primarily with internal fixation through minimal incisions
- Every case is analysed first to locate the deformity — tibia, femur or both
- Very severe cases can be corrected with an external fixator
Surgical steps
- Standing full-leg radiographs to locate and quantify the deformity.
- Plan the osteotomy at the true source, not merely where the leg looks bent.
- Realign and fix internally.
- Physiotherapy with serial radiographic alignment checks.
Recovery & aftercare
- Internal fixation means no external hardware to carry and a quicker recovery.
- Weight control reduces knee load and helps hold the corrected alignment.
Risks & things to consider
- Bone lengthening is major surgery. Outcome and recovery time depend on bone quality, age, weight and how disciplined the patient is with rehabilitation, so identical results cannot be guaranteed.
- Daily physiotherapy is mandatory through both the lengthening and consolidation phases. Skipping it risks joint stiffness, muscle contracture or delayed bone healing.
- Disclose all medical conditions, regular medication, previous bone surgery and drug allergies at the consultation, and stop smoking before and after surgery as instructed — nicotine measurably slows bone healing.
- Valgus correction carries a particular risk of nerve injury and should be done by a specialist surgeon.
Frequently asked questions
Can knock-knees be treated without surgery?
In adults it usually does not work, because the deformity is structural. Braces and physiotherapy may ease pain but do not change bone alignment; permanent correction requires osteotomy.
Other procedures in this area
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