Prophylaxis
Apart from avoiding the underlying diseases or other triggering factors, unfortunately the development of bow legs cannot be prevented.
Prognosis
After the operation, a hospital stay of about 7 days is usually scheduled. Partial loading of the bone from the beginning is not only allowed, but also important to strengthen the bone structure. After 6 weeks at the latest – depending on the X-ray findings – the leg is then fully loaded again.
In order to accelerate healing and strengthen the leg, physiotherapy should be taken. After about 2 weeks, many patients go about their daily lives on crutches relatively unrestricted. Patients can also take part in sports. In the first time, however, no sports that are too stressful. Swimming, for example, is a good option.
Problems with bow legs
In the long term, all higher-grade leg malpositions, whether bow legs or knock-knees, lead to premature wear of the joint cartilage, so that gonarthrosis (knee arthrosis) must be expected with increasing age. In the case of bow legs, the outer knee joint is particularly affected, while bow legs are affected by inner knee arthrosis. The extent of the arthrosis, however, depends on other risk factors such as obesity, weakness of the connective tissue, accident and injuries, etc.
Bow legs for babies
As the child grows up, its lower extremities undergo a certain development. Already at birth, but at the latest when the child starts walking, an O-shape of the legs (Genu varum) is seen in every child. In the course of the next few years (usually up to about 3 years of age), this will even out and the legs will take on a straight shape (genu rectum), as can be found in healthy adults.During the following years, however, the “deformity” of the bow legs, which was previously found, will be reversed, and bow legs (genu valgum) will develop.
These in turn will disappear by about the age of 10, so that the child should have a straight leg axis by the time puberty sets in. In contrast, very pronounced or increasing bow legs in newborns and infants are in need of observation. In most cases, however, even this malposition is benign and will grow together over the years. Nevertheless, it can be helpful if you document the development of your child’s legs with photographs so that the treating pediatrician can always easily follow the development.
