DS has knock knees - should I do something about it?

[Bozza]

My DS is 2.8 and I have noticed that he is very knock kneed. I asked him to stand with his legs together (naked) and he put his feet together but one knee was in front of the other - very contorted. So then I stood him with his knees together and his feet were a good two inches apart. His feet also lean in somewhat although when he wears shoes this is not really noticeable.

DS is quite big boned and has big knees. I found that I had only about a half inch gap between my knees (less than the norm for a 2-4 yr old according to the NHS birth to five book) and DH then claimed that he was knock kneed. So big hereditary factor. But I wondered if I should mention it to doctor or health visitor because DS seems quite bad.

My DD (nearly 5) had knock knees and my health visitor wanted the doctor to have a quick look. The doctor wasn't worried and said that she would grow out of it, which she pretty much has now.

It is probably worth mentioning it to your health visitor in case her view is different and for your own peace of mind

I think they are supposed to be knockkneed at that age are they not???

My ds is 2.4yrs and is very knockkneed still. It makes me smile.... means he's still my baby.

Maybe you are right M2T. I'm just not sure. TBH DS still has very babyish feet (wide and short with lots of fat on them) which I love. Why do babies have such beautiful feet and adults not?

Bozza - Oh yes he still has his baby feet and hands..... and I LOVE them. I wouldn't worry too much until he's a bit older.

I hope ds's feet don't turn into his fathers! DH's look like claws! I swear he could sleep hanging like a bat from a beam if he really tried.

I had knock knees which Rolfing (a type of massage technique) completely cleared up when I was an adult.

I think in some cases knockknees can be caused by poorly fitting shoes, might be worth checking out.

That said, I'm a bit lazy about good shoe fit with my kids and (touch wood) their knees are ok, so far.

Dr M2T here:

Knock knees are rarely anything to worry about - as many as three quarters of all children between the age of 3 and 5 have knock knees. The term 'knock knees'(or, more officially, 'genu valgum' simply means that if you get the child to stand straight with their knees together, their lower legs splay out so much that their ankles do not touch in the middle.

In the vast majority of cases the problem sorts itself out without any help - as the child grows, their legs change shape and gradually become parallel and straight.

But in a few cases the knock knees are very severe and may affect the hip joints, back or feet, causing problems with walking and a limp, and severe arthritis of the knee joint in later life.

Oooops - forget the winkie face.

Its no big deal if you see an orthapod - they usually only suggest shoe inserts

Zebra - in what ways might the shoes be poorly fitted? We have a nightmare trying to get shoes to fit DS as it is. He has a wide and very high foot and many shoes just do not go on.

I believe my SIL (DS's aunt) had the inserts fio2 so it might be a genetic thing.

bozza thats just like my ds! We have to have the widest fitting at clarks

it is genetic I think. My uncle had to have them, I did and now my dd does!

I say ds has trotters not feet as there are so short and fat and round. Love 'em really, of course.