Bowlegs and knock-knees

Young children often have knees and legs that look awkward. Two types of problems that can be obvious at this age are bowlegs and knock-knees. When a child has bowlegs, the ankles touch but the knees are wide apart. With knock-knees the lower legs angle out, so that the ankles are far apart when the knees touch. Even though both of these are fairly common in infancy, a child usually outgrows the problem by the time they go to school.

A baby's legs are folded up before they are born so that when they are born they often look bowlegged. The bowlegs are very easy to see at 12 to 18 months when the baby starts to stand and walk. Standing and walking helps the legs to straighten. The legs will usually look normal by age 6.

A child should see a healthcare provider by the age of 2 or 3 if the bowing is getting worse or if one leg is bowed more than the other. Severely bowed legs can be a sign of a rare condition called rickets. Rickets is caused by not getting enough Vitamin D.

Most children have a slight knock-kneed look by the time they are 2 or 3. It is a normal part of development. The legs begin to straighten out about age 5 to 6, as the child grows. By the early teenage years, the child can usually stand with the knees and ankles touching.

Most children will outgrow both knock-knees and bowlegs without the need of any special treatments. However, in severe cases, the provider may want the child to see a specialist called an orthopedic doctor.

In rare cases, surgery may be recommended, especially if the problem continues as the child grows older. The use of braces or special shoes to help straighten the legs may be suggested, although not all providers think this treatment is necessary. A parent who is concerned about bowlegs or knock-knees should discuss these conditions with the child's provider.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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