KNEE DEFORMITY CORRECTION IN CHILDREN

Knee deformities in children and adolescents can affect the alignment, growth, walking pattern and long-term function of the lower limbs. Early evaluation is important to determine whether the deformity is part of normal growth or requires treatment.

At Dr. Harish Madrekar’s Orthopaedic Clinic, we provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of paediatric knee deformities, including genu varum (bow legs), genu valgum (knock knees), genu recurvatum (hyperextension), flexion deformities and rotational deformities.

Each child is assessed individually based on age, growth potential, severity and cause of the deformity. Evaluation may include clinical examination, measurement of limb alignment, assessment of limb length and rotational profile, gait assessment and appropriate standing long-leg X-rays to understand the mechanical axis and identify whether the deformity originates from the femur, tibia or both.

Treatment depends on the child's age, underlying cause and severity. Mild or physiological deformities may only require observation and periodic follow-up. When intervention is indicated, treatment options may include guided growth procedures (hemiepiphysiodesis), corrective osteotomy and other growth-preserving or deformity-correction procedures, depending on the individual case.

We also evaluate deformities associated with conditions such as Blount disease, rickets and other metabolic or skeletal disorders, previous fractures or growth plate injuries, congenital conditions and developmental abnormalities.

Our aim is to achieve appropriate lower-limb alignment while considering the child's remaining growth and preventing progression of the deformity. Early assessment can help identify progressive deformities and allow treatment to be planned at the appropriate stage of growth.

If your child has bow legs, knock knees, abnormal walking, unequal leg alignment or persistent knee deformity, a paediatric orthopaedic evaluation can help determine whether treatment is required.