Types, Causes and Treatment of Bandy Legs:
Genu Varum is defined as a lateral angulation of the knee. The longitudinal axis of femur and tibia deviates medially. The deformity involves tibia alone or the femur or tibia and fibula both.
Types and Causes
Unilateral
- Due to growth abnormalities of upper tibial epiphysis.
- Infections like osteomyelitis, etc.
- Trauma near the growth epiphysis of femur.
- Tumors affecting the lower end of femur and upper end of tibia.
Bilateral
- Congenital causes
- Postural abnormalities
- Developmental disorders
- Metabolic disorders (rickets rare)
- Endocrine disorders
- Degenerative disorders (e.g. Osteoarthritis of knee). This is a common cause.
- Occupational disorders (e.g. in jockeys)
- Idiopathic
- Paget’s disease
- ‘Blounts’ disease (tibia vara)
Clinical Measurements of the Deformity
Child
- The patient is examined supine with knee extended, patella facing the ceiling and the medial malleoli touching each other. If the separation of the knee exceeds more than 3 cm or if it is unilateral, it should be investigated.
- A line is drawn from anterosuperior iliac spine through center of patella to medial malleolus. Normally all the structures are in the same line but in genu varum medial malleolus is medial to this line.
Adults
The angle of genu varum is calculated on a standing radiograph of the whole limb.
Clinical Feature
Gena Varum complex: The primary deformity in genu varum is lateral angulation of the knee. In response to this, secondary deformities develop in the tibia and the foot. This together is known as genu varum complex.
Radiograph
Radiograph of the whole limb should be done to assess the severity of genu varum.
Treatment
- Treatment should be conservative until four years of age. Knee-ankle-foot outhouses with the medial bar and the lateral strap are used.
- Correction of early deformity is done by dynamic bracing or splints.
- After four years, significant deformity should be corrected by surgery.
- Lateral epiphyseal stapling when the child is within the growth period and supracondylar medial open or lateral closed wedge osteotomy is done after skeletal maturity.
Genu varum is a relatively common in kids. Idiopathic shin vara is the most typical of the pathologic circumstances that are associated with bowed legs; therapy techniques differ with the individual’s age and the level of illness and problems. Active Physical Therapy’s experienced dedicated physical therapists and talented clinical team then design individualized treatment plans to achieve the specific goals for each patient per your doctor’s expectation. Call now for Quick Appointment: 301-916-8540