With varus knee alignment, the knees don’t come together even when your feet are side by side.
Both conditions put increased stress on the knees, which can lead to or worsen arthritis.
Valgus knee makes someone knock kneed.
Illustration by Joules Garcia for Verywell Health
In valgus misalignment, the lateral meniscus is specifically affected.
Valgus alignment is not considered quite as destructive as varus alignment.
Walking or climbing stairs can be a particular challenge for people with this condition.
This causes the knees to bow outward.
This is why people with this condition can be referred to as bow legged.
However, you may reduce your risk of developing knee osteoarthritis by losing weight.
Besides weight, another factor that increases your risk of knee osteoarthritis is the degree of your varus alignment.
A higher degree (or worse misalignment) means a higher likelihood of getting osteoarthritis in your knees.
Once knee osteoarthritis develops, it’s more likely to get worse if you have a varus alignment.
In varus malalignment, the medial meniscus is affected.
Knock knees occur when the legs curve in and the knees touch while the ankles are apart.
Bowing of the legs pops up if the legs curve out like a bow.
There is a noticeable gap between the knees when the feet are placed together.
Knock knees in children often straighten out eventually, though many adults retain some traces of the condition.
Bowing can lead to children becomingpigeon-toed, where their toes point toward each other.
The legs usually straighten out as the child grows and matures.
Symptoms
Knee or hip pain are common to both valgus and varus alignment.
A physical exam of the legs often helps make a diagnosis.
An X-ray is done to confirm it.
This test takes full-body, 3D images while a patient assumes a sitting or standing position.
It emits some radiation, but less than an X-ray.
Bracing is a go-to choice to help support the knee and straighten both types of misalignment.
Physical therapy may be provided to help improve strength and function.
When necessary, adjustments are made to the femur (thighbone) and tibia (shinbone).
Many children naturally outgrow their misalignment.
Affected children have bow legs until about age 3 and knock knees until they’re about 7 or 8.
After that, no further treatment is required.
Some children remain knock kneed until they’re teens.
Even some adults may remain slightly knock kneed.
Summary
Valgus alignment is known as knock knee syndrome.
It shifts the load-bearing axis to theoutside of the knee joint, forcing the knees to be positioned inward.
The causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of the two conditions are surprisingly similar.
Both types of misalignment can lead to osteoarthritis and damage of the cartilage cushioning in the knee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Signs that warrant medical attention include:
Yes.
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