Bowed Leg Syndrome & Leg Curvature Correctional Therapies

Bowed Leg Syndrome & Leg Curvature Correctional Therapies

“Genu Varum” or bowed legs syndrome (Bow Leg) is a Varus deformity marked by the outward bowing of the bones at the knee, thus, means that the lower legs are angled inwardly in relation to the thighs. This is identified where the patient’s feet and ankles are close to each other whilst the knees are far wide apart.

Such a medical condition can typically occur amongst toddlers and children; although if left untreated, such a deformity may also worsen as we grow older. Generally, a patient with bow legs exhibits, their shin bones (tibia), or the thigh bones (femur), bending outwards. It is a noteworthy fact that bow legs can occur as a normal developmental stage amongst toddlers, who are under 3 years of age; factually, infants are born with bow legs, due to their folded position, while in their mother’s womb.

Thus, it is rather common to find children with a mild bow in their legs. Especially, with toddlers, bow legs might hinder their ability to walk properly; which medically is known as “Genu Varum”. However, between the ages of 12 months till 19 months the bow in their legs naturally corrects itself and their waling improves. Thus, doctors usually examine a toddler, till the age of 3 years, until advising any treatment or correctional therapy; however, if the bow persists into childhood or teenhood; then treatment becomes necessary.

There can be many problems associated with bowed legs if left untreated; from pain in the knees to limited movement ability; especially in teenage children. Although, the causes of bow legs can range from development at birth or even due to some injury; the real concern is that if left untreated it, it can cause an osteoarthritis condition, into the knees which would cause pain, swelling and problems with limitations in day to day activities. Such a condition may be worsened by obesity and any additional pressure on the knees

Causes for Bow Leg Syndrome

Bowlegs is a deformation that causes legs to bow outwards at the knees, while the ankles and feet can come together. The causes of such a deformation can include:

• Congenital Bone Deformation
• Untreated Bone Fractures
• Bone Diseases; which may include Paget’s Disease, Rickets Dwarfism amongst others

Generally, a bowed bone curvature can occur in the limbs of the legs in two different shapes and forms, “X” shaped or “O” shaped legs, and sometimes are also referred to as “Knock Knock Knees” or “Bow Legs”.

Treatment options – How to Correct Bowed Legs

Non-Surgical Therapies

1. 1. Therapeutic Massage Exercises – Generally, a specially trained massage therapist would provide movement to the affected leg/s in a particular way, repeatedly, over a course of many sessions. As a result, with due time and repeat sessions; a noticeable difference can be observed.
   2. Leg Limb Exercises – The primary target for such exercises are aimed at muscle strength building around the knees of the patient; as that would reduce the amount of strain exerted in their joints and tendons and with time improve the curvature of their legs as well. However, it must be kept in mind that such exercises work best for patients suffering from minor bow or curvature in their legs.
      1. A very easy and effective exercise for bowed legs can be executed by lying straight on our back and bending their knees and placing certain weights (around 10 pounds) between the feet; then try to bend the legs till you touch your buttocks and then to extend the legs after. This exercises should be repeated multiple times, over and over again
      2. Another effective exercise is Pilates as it helps in improving the core muscles and realigning the body; plus it also helps in posture correction and bowed legs as well.
   3. Stretching Exercises – Stretching is another effective method for improving the curvature of the legs and overall body posture. Some specific exercises, including Yoga, can also help in lengthening the body’s muscles and strengthening their core. Stretching also helps in the readjustment and realigning the skeletal and muscular systems in our bodies, as well.
   4. Vitamin D – it is documented that vitamin d deficiency can affect the curvature of the legs and cause bowed limbs; e.g., Rickets is a medical condition that causes bow legs and is caused by a Vitamin D deficiency. Thus, Vitamin D dietary supplement may help in preventing Rickets’ disease and bowed legs as a result.
   5. Medical Braces – Specialty casts, leg braces or shoes are found to help in treating bow legs in younger children. A medical brace may be used, for a child whose bow curvature has severe curvature in their leg limbs. The braces are worn till the curvature is corrected and the leg limb is straightened out.

Surgical Correctional Therapies

1. 1. Conditions that require surgical intervention for Bow Leg Correction – For any bow leg curvature correctional surgery, it is essential to correct the load-bearing axis of the leg limbs; thus, Valgus and Varus deformity correction is very important for normal limb physique. The problematic aspect of bow legs syndrome is the effect is having on the hip, knee and ankle joints; and how over time it changes their position and alignment, due to the pressure exerted on these bones. Thus, it is quintessential for a bow correction surgery to correct the load-bearing axis of the body, so that the patients do not develop a joint disorder, arthritis or walking problems, at an earlier stage in their lives.  Normally, with most bow correctional treatments, the medical professional advice, non-surgical methods; and only in cases where that does not work or the deformity is severe enough to cause movement problems; the doctors suggest surgical intervention for correction. Another factor which determines, if the patient can have the bow legs correctional surgery, is the fact of their age; for children, it is recommended that they reach a particular age so that the growth plates of their bones have closed. Furthermore, doctors also take account of other factors which may be causing the bones to curve; e.g. tissue degeneration may occur due to cartilages damage, in a patient who had suffered trauma due to an accident and was left untreated or damage caused to the growth cartilage due to some fracture/s, when the patient was young.  Thus, where it is found that the cartilage is damaged, the bone is left to continue its growth period till the age that the growth plates naturally close; 14-15 years for females and 17-18 years for males; so that a correctional surgery would not affect the growth of the limbs.

1. 2. How does a Bow Correction Surgery Work? – Historically, bow limb correctional surgery was done via large incisions on the curvature of the bones; and utilizing metal rods, plates, screws and pins, the bone was held in the correct position. However, in current times, medical professionals have developed various methods for such corrective surgeries. Depending on the severity of the curvature, the doctor may utilize one of two basic methods; a mono-lateral (Single Lane) Fixator or a Circular fixator (Ilizarov’s Method). Where the curvature is severe, doctors usually employ the mono-lateral fixator method, and the correction can be done in a single surgical procedure. However, in cases where gradual correction is needed; cases which involve limb discrepancy and bowed legs; an Ilizarov type fixator, is usually employed, for a steady and measured correction, as it allows for fine-tuning of the correction; post-surgery via x-ray monitoring. Once the accurate correction, is achieved, and the bones are healed, the external fixators can be removed; this fixator period usually lasts between 3 to 5 months and the patients can return to normal life within a few days, after removal. It must be noted that such a corrective surgery may cause surgical scars, between 2 to 3 cms, after the external fixator is removed; however, these scars can easily be removed with minor plastic surgery, for the better aesthetic appearance of the patients. ​​​​​​

Cost of Bow Legs Correctional surgery: 7,500 Euros

For more information about bow legs correction surgeries and treatments please contact our patient consultants and visit our doctor's page: https://www.bulmd.com/doctors

Moreover, for a thorough, healthy and smooth treatment experience, we provide the following facilities, which are included in the total price that we charge for the surgeries:

• Meeting and greeting our patients at the airports, including all transportation, to and from their hotels & hospitals
• Accommodation in a 5-star hotel (1 to 3 days)
• An English-speaking caretaker who will assist our patients 24/7
• A Complimentary Istanbul tour, including historical and touristic visits, boat tours and meals in our famous Turkish restaurants
• All necessary medical examinations before the surgical operation
• 5 to 7 days of hospitalization
• Physiotherapist’s assistance and all medications are covered, during the patient’s hospitalization
• Walkers, crutches & wheelchairs
• Transportation to the airport upon departure
• FREE consultation with doctors and consultants, whenever the patient’s needs, even after the lengthening process has been completed.

Please note that this stated price also includes the following costs, besides the surgery itself: 

• All hospital charges relating to the operating room and recovery room.
• Surgeon fees.
• Anesthesiologist fees.
• Surgery assistant fees.
• Hospital fees (Internal medicine doctors will be available during the entire hospitalization period)

 

For more information regarding Bowed Leg Syndrome and Correctional Surgeries, please write to us at [email protected] 

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For direct consultation, please contact our expert patient consultants via phone or WhatsApp: +90 531 988 3090