As a parent, you worry about your child’s development and want to make sure they’re on track, meeting milestones and growing properly. So when you notice something out of the ordinary—like knees that tilt inward—it’s natural to feel concerned.
“Knock knees is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions we see in young children,” says Amanda Haladik, D.O. a pediatrician at Henry Ford Health. “In fact, most kids have this at some point.”
What Causes Knock Knees
Knock knees (also known by the medical term, genu valgum) is not typically present at birth. “It tends to develop in children between 2 and 5 years old, and is usually most noticeable around age 4,” says Dr. Haladik.
In the majority of children with knock knees, the condition is a natural part of their skeletal development. As children grow, the knees tend to turn in a bit. That can result in the knees touching while the ankles splay apart. “For the most part, this doesn’t significantly impact kids,” says Dr. Haladik. “Sometimes they may trip when running, but it shouldn’t cause any real problems.”
In rare cases, knock knees can result from a bone, growth or other health problem. Health issues that can sometimes lead to the development of knock knees include:
- History of growth plate fractures to the bones in the legs
- Metabolic conditions, such as rickets (a disease caused by mineral deficiencies that leads to bone abnormalities)
- Skeletal dysplasia (a genetic condition that affects the growth of bones, joints and cartilage)
Will My Child Outgrow Knock Knees?
Knock knees are usually most pronounced in young children. As kids continue growing, the leg bones typically straighten out, bringing the knees into proper alignment.
“In most kids, you’ll see the knock knees improve on their own between 4 and 8 years old,” says Dr. Haladik. “Usually there are no treatments, medications or other interventions needed.”
If your child has knock knees, their doctor may want to monitor the condition to make sure it resolves on its own over time. If there are any concerning signs, your doctor might recommend further evaluation by a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. But most kids can run, jump and play without knock knees causing any difficulty or discomfort.
Need A Pediatrician?
When to Worry About Knock Knees
“My advice to parents is always, if you have a concern, don’t hesitate to bring it up to your child’s doctor,” says Dr. Haladik. “Well check visits are designed to monitor your child’s growth and development. They’re the perfect time to check in and make sure what you’re noticing in your child’s development is normal.”
Signs that point toward knock knees that are part of typical development include:
- Condition develops between ages 2 and 5
- Legs are the same length
- Height is typical for their age
- No difficulty walking and no persistent pain or swelling in the legs
Since knock knees can sometimes be related to underlying health conditions, you do want to be on the lookout for certain red flags. If you notice any concerning signs or symptoms, Dr. Haladik suggests bringing your child to the doctor for evaluation. These may include:
- Knock knees that aren’t improving in children by the time they’re 7 or 8 years old
- Knock knees developing in children younger than 2 or older than 8
- Knee turning inward only on one leg
- Limping or difficulty walking
- Very short height for their age
“The bottom line is that most kids do develop knock knees at some point during their early growth years,” says Dr. Haladik. “And the majority outgrow it without it causing them any problems.”
Reviewed by Amanda V. Haladik, D.O., a pediatrician who sees patients at Henry Ford Medical Center - Lakeside and Henry Ford Medical Center - Sterling Heights.
