Little girl with bow legs or knocked knees
At Every Turn > Specialty Care > Should I be worried about my child’s bowlegs or knocked-knees?
Tips Oct 28, 2019

Should I be worried about my child’s bowlegs or knocked-knees?

Brittney Krueger, MD, Pediatrician

Parents will often express concern at our visits about their child being “bow-legged” or “knock-kneed.” The medical term for being bow-legged is genu varum. This means the knees seem to bow outward, away from each other. Genu valgum is the opposite, meaning knock-kneed, or that knees point inward toward each other. Both of these are part of normal growth and development in children and very few kids ever require treatment.

The muscles of the legs are very tight in certain areas at birth due to how babies are positioned in the womb. Genu varum and valgum are a result of these muscles growing, stretching and finding balance in the first few years of life.

Children will typically begin to appear bow-legged around the time they are learning to stand and walk. After 2 years, we see toddlers start to look more knock-kneed, which will progress until age 4. At this time, the legs gradually grow to reach a more neutral alignment around age 7.

1

If children are following this expected pattern, no additional testing is needed. In caring for my patients and their families who have concerns about these issues, I am vigilant about looking for anything that might be reason for concern, such as:

  • The curvature is extreme

  • Only one side is affected

  • The bow-legs persist after 2 years of age

  • The knock-knees persist after age 7

  • The child is not meeting expected growth

If any of these features are observed, we may recommend additional testing, such as an X-ray, or in rare cases, referral to an orthopedic or other specialist may be needed.

Rarely, bowlegs or knock-knees are the result of a disease. Arthritis, injury to the growth plate around the knee, infection, tumor, Blount’s disease (a growth disorder of the shinbone), and rickets all can cause changes in the curvature of the legs, which may require doctor recommended intervention.

If you as a parent have any concerns about your child’s growth and development, it is always a good idea to bring it up with your Children’s Wisconsin primary care doctor. 

Children's Wisconsin specialty care providers have advanced training and expertise in many areas of pediatric medical care, including allergies, dental, dermatology, ENT, gastroenterology, neonatology, surgery and more. 
View more articles from Brittney Krueger, MD

Related stories

Benefits of gardening with your kids Children's Wisconsin
Tips May 28, 2025

Growing Up Green: The Many Benefits of Gardening With Your Kids

Caitlin Jacobs, MPH, RD, CD Clinical Dietitian

Gardening gets your kids outside, exposes them to a variety of foods and promotes their natural curiosity.

Understanding and addressing anxiety in kids Children's Wisconsin
Tips May 20, 2025

No More Worries: How To Manage Anxiety in Children

Tyler White, LPC Behavioral Health Consultant

While anxiety is a natural part of being human, it can be quite unpleasant to live with.

Skin cancer and melanoma in kids Children's Wisconsin Dermatology Program
Tips May 14, 2025

How To Protect Your Child From Skin Cancer

Valerie Carlberg, MD Dermatologist

Although childhood skin cancer is rare, protecting your child’s skin from ultraviolet radiation is critical for preventing long-term health consequences.

How to Cultivate Assertiveness in Your Child Children's Wisconsin
Tips May 05, 2025

How to Cultivate Assertiveness in Your Child

Rebecca Bons, PsyD Behavioral Health Consultant

Learning how to be assertive helps children build safe relationships, navigate conflicts and boost self-esteem.

What Are Obesogens and Do They Cause Weight Gain in Children? Children's Wisconsin
Tips Apr 16, 2025

Are Obesogens Causing Weight Gain in Children?

Pallavi Iyer, MD Endocrinologist

Obesity rates have more than tripled since the 1960s for both adults and children — but why?

Measles outbreak United States 2025 Children's Wisconsin
Tips Apr 16, 2025

Measles Outbreak Shows Importance of Getting Your Kids Vaccinated

Frank Zhu, MD Medical Director

The recent measles outbreak is a regrettable reminder to all of us of just how preventable this disease truly is when your child is vaccinated.

Beige parenting Children's Wisconsin
Tips Apr 02, 2025

The Rainbow Connection: How the Beige Parenting Trend Can Affect Children

Elizabeth Frantal, PA-C Physician Assistant

Beige parenting deviates from the bright colors and bold patterns that have dominated baby items for decades.