Pediatric Alignment
Children’s leg alignment can be a common concern for parents, as children sometimes appear “bow-legged” or “knock-kneed” during the early stages of development. However, these are often normal aspects of the developmental process depending on age, stage, and degree. Follow along with the pictures below as we dive a little deeper into the pediatric development:
At birth, babies have moderate genu varum (“bow-legs”), or outward bending of the knees. An angle of about 15 degrees of varum, or outward pointing, is considered normal, and is a result of in utero positioning.
At around 1.5 to 2 years of age, alignment of the legs starts to straighten out as children learn to stand and walk. For children who continue to have a “bow-legged” appearance between ages 2 - 4, parents can consult their pediatrician or orthopedist to rule out more serious conditions.
Between the ages of 2 to 4 years, the knees start pointing inward and may appear “knock-kneed”. This happens because the medial epiphysis (the side of the growth plate closest to the middle) grows faster than the lateral epiphysis (side of the growth plate closest to the outside of the body). About 10 degrees of valgum, or inward pointing, is considered normal.
From age 4 through adolescence, the alignment of the knees slowly starts to straighten out again. The degree to which the knees point in or out in adolescence and adulthood is often governed by the child’s gender and genetics.
If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s alignment and growth, please contact us! We can help with taking measurements, screening to rule out more serious conditions, and providing more detailed information on development to grant you peace of mind, and refer you to the right medical professionals if need be.
