Chiropractic Care for Knock Knees
By Sara Butler
Does your child have knock knees? Children often display knocks knees as toddlers and then grow out of it with no negative effects. But sometimes, a child’s legs don’t straighten out on their own – and that’s when you need to be concerned. What are knock knees and how can your chiropractor help? Read on to find out.
Knock Knees: What Are They?
Knock knees cause the knees to bow inward toward each other. It causes children to stand with their feet flat but their knees touching as they bow together. Many children go through a stage around the age of 3 or 4 in which their knees may look like this, but it usually resolves on its own by age 8 or so. It’s not uncommon for parents to be concerned when they notice their child displaying this condition, but it’s usually harmless. It’s simply important to understand the natural growth patterns of a child so you know when to worry and when to just let something ride out for a while.
When to Seek Help
If your child doesn’t grow out of knock knees or if they display the following, you should seek help:
- Knee misalignment
- Bone deformities
- Infection
- Injury
- Weak knees
- Scurvy
- Rickets
How Can Knock Knees Impact Your Child?
If your child has atypical knock knees that they don’t grow out of, it can cause inflammatory issues in the:
- Knees
- Ankles
- Hips
- Back
- Feet
The pain they experience from this make getting around difficult, and if your child is overweight the problem can be even worse. The ligaments, tendons, and muscles that support the joints in the legs don’t work correctly and can lead to injuries of the bone.
A child with knock knees can also develop a difference in the length of their two legs. This can lead to back pain and hip pain and even arthritis as they get older.
How the Chiropractor Can Help
Chiropractic care is a great treatment for children of all ages who have knock knees. For younger patients who are merely moving through a developmental stage, chiropractic can help to keep their body from developing joint dysfunction or restriction as a result of the condition. For children who don’t grow out of knock knees, the chiropractor can offer them the same benefits, plus help to increase their mobility and encourage proper posture as they work to help resolve the problem.
If you’re worried about knock knees in your child, discuss it with the chiropractors at The Joint today!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.