Modern parents raise their children literally “by the book.” They read a lot of useful information about the correct development of the baby and are very worried if they discover any deviations from the norm. One of the most common questions that parents ask pediatricians is: “Why does the child have crooked legs and how to fix it?” Every parent wants their child to grow up to be a physically healthy and beautiful person, but often the problem of crooked legs in a child does not require any treatment and parental worries turn out to be in vain.
Curvature of the legs in children is a stage in the development of the lower extremities; it occurs in most children under 5 years of age. Usually, up to 3 years of age, an “O”-shaped curvature of the legs is observed, this is when, due to deformation of the bones, the shins of the legs do not close at the knees. And in children from 3 to 5 years old, most often the curvature of the legs resembles the letter “X”, in which the legs do not close at the ankles and feet. Very rarely, a child’s legs remain crooked at the age of 6-7 years; as a rule, they straighten and the clubfoot goes away on its own.
A child's legs in the womb are compactly folded, and therefore in almost all newborn babies they are slightly spread apart. Young children's legs begin to straighten as they begin to stand and walk independently. In 80% of cases, parental fears about the curvature of a child’s legs are groundless; very rarely, modern children’s legs remain crooked even at school age. Usually, parents who contact a pediatrician with this problem are sent with their baby to an orthopedist, who prescribes massage, physiotherapy and therapeutic exercises to “straighten” the legs. In fact, all these services are not necessary, especially if they ask you to pay a lot of money for them. Massage does not affect the shape of the bones, and their angular values can be finally assessed only after 6-8 years. Until this age, crooked legs in children do not require any treatment; let them grow and play quietly. However, if even at school age a child’s legs are noticeably curved, then the deformation of the bones can be caused by the following reasons:
1. Heredity . Features of the figure are inherited. Therefore, before you try to “straighten” your baby’s legs, evaluate the slenderness of your legs. Perhaps your baby has wheel legs exactly like his dad, mom or grandfather.
2. Rickets . Fortunately, severe forms of rickets, leading to severe deformation of the legs, are rare in modern children. Rickets appears in a child under 3 years of age. Symptoms of rickets are not only deformation of the pelvic bones, but also increased sweating, increased hair loss and an unpleasant odor of urine. This means that if your baby has crooked legs, but there are no other symptoms, then this should not be a reason to suspect he has rickets. The cause of the development of this disease is a lack of vitamin D in the child’s body, which leads to impaired absorption of calcium and phosphorus. As is known, a deficiency of these microelements causes softening of bones and deformation of the skeleton.
3. Premature vertical loads . A child masters each skill at a certain age. So at 1.5 months he begins to hold his head, at six months of age he tries to crawl and at 9-11 months he takes his first steps. But many parents want to quickly teach their child to stand and walk, despite the fact that the baby’s muscles and bones are not yet ready for this. Meanwhile, early use of sliders or driving while holding hands can lead to excessive stress on the baby’s fragile skeleton and deformation of his legs.
4. Excess weight . Crooked legs are most common in overweight children. Large body weight puts pressure on the lower limbs and leads to their curvature. To find out if your child is overweight, divide his weight in kg by the square of his height in meters. If the result is within 14-16, then your child’s weight is normal. If more than 16, then this is a sign of the onset of obesity.
5. Tight and uncomfortable shoes . In children older than one year, the cause of abnormal gait and curvature of the legs may be wearing tight and uncomfortable shoes. Children's shoes must be chosen carefully; they should have a high, hard back and a wide, small heel.
6. Hip dysplasia . This pathology in children is a congenital defect. It occurs due to a lack of vitamins in the body of a pregnant woman and infectious diseases suffered during pregnancy. Stress, smoking and alcohol consumption by the expectant mother are also considered risk factors for the development of articular bone dysplasia in children.
Contrary to the assertion of many grandmothers , tight swaddling and the use of diapers do not in any way affect the shape of children's legs. Pediatricians around the world have long recommended “loose swaddling,” in which newborns’ legs should lie spread apart. It has been proven that this position of the legs best promotes the proper development of the hip bones in children.
— Return to the table of contents of the “Psychiatry” section.
X-shaped legs in children are considered a pathology, which is characterized by deformation of the legs in any position, the change is especially noticeable in a standing position. If the legs are straightened and brought together, the distance between the heels can reach five centimeters or more. It happens that a person acquires a defect during his life; the pathology can also be congenital.
Young mothers must remember that the child’s skeleton is formed before the age of two, and during this period the legs take on different shapes. It is especially important to monitor your baby's first steps. Movements can be unstable, often the legs take the shape of the letter O or X. When the child becomes confident on his legs, the defect disappears on its own, without requiring treatment. If by the age of two the X-shape has become pronounced, you should definitely consult a doctor for help. An experienced doctor will prescribe treatment that will eliminate the defect by age 5. It happens that the curvature is expressed on one side, this indicates the possibility of a hereditary factor affecting the child’s health.
The cause is heredity or other factors. Parents are obliged to pay attention to the child, avoiding further spread of the disease. Close attention is required when the baby begins to move independently. Deformation can begin to develop, the reasons are hidden in:
You will need to consult a doctor for help, increasing the child’s chances of getting back on his feet normally and leading a normal lifestyle.
First of all, parents should remember: X-shaped legs will not straighten out on their own, you will definitely have to make an appointment with an orthopedist, the doctor will help to avoid the defect in the future. After the doctor conducts a full examination and makes an accurate diagnosis, the children are prescribed individual treatment.
Treatment and recovery take a lot of time, sometimes treatment takes more than a year. Remember, the faster help is provided, the faster the child will get back on his feet.
Most often, massage is used as the main method of treatment. The session lasts at least 25 minutes for a month, not only the leg muscles are massaged, the massage starts from the back and ends with the feet. For such procedures, they turn to a professional; the further state of the child’s health depends on the actions of the parents. The procedures are performed according to the recommendations:
It is important to remember that X-shaped legs can be treated additionally with the help of the right shoes. Today, distinctive orthopedic shoes are produced that allow for the prevention of X-shaped legs, preventing the development of flat feet. As a rule, such shoes for children are available with high backs and comfortable insoles.
A balanced diet is considered an important factor in treatment; if the child is malnourished and the growing body does not accumulate the necessary vitamins to strengthen bones, the work done will be useless. Food must contain calcium, which is found in dairy products, eggs and fish, and phosphorus, which is found in legumes. To strengthen the body, you need to take sunbathing.
Treatment requires a lot of time and effort; it is not necessary to carry out therapeutic exercises for children in the gym; it is permissible to perform them at home. It is more useful to carry out the movements in a playful way so that the baby does not soon get tired of doing the exercises. For many children, their favorite task is pedaling a bicycle. If parents have purchased a children's bicycle, be sure to take it for a walk in the park. By constantly doing cycling exercises, your leg muscles will begin to strengthen.
An excellent way to straighten X-shaped legs is swimming, when the child is asked to swim like a frog.
To strengthen the legs, a set of exercises has been developed to help restore muscles and ligaments:
The listed exercises are aimed at strengthening the child’s muscles and ligaments. If the muscles become stronger, it will be possible to get rid of crooked legs faster, and the child will begin to move freely without experiencing discomfort.
Prevention and treatment of crooked legs must be carried out in a complex manner. To prevent the disease from developing, it is necessary to provide the child with proper nutrition; it is important to start doing the exercises described in the article in advance. If the curvature of the legs is minimal, it is imperative to monitor the defect; it is better to immediately consult an orthopedic doctor.
Some parents make a big mistake by encouraging their child to go from an early age. This is dangerous, the little man’s bones have not yet formed, and a large load on them leads to curvature. Doctors advise using pine-salt baths once a month. To ensure that the child sleeps well, add a little chamomile.
You should be careful when choosing clothes for a small child, avoid tight ones that restrict movement. The same applies to shoes. As a preventive measure, it is advisable to allow the child to walk more barefoot, on grass or sand. If parents and their baby decide to go to the sea, try to have the baby stretch his legs with sea pebbles and walk on pebbles. Remember, quality treatment depends solely on the parents, the little man is not able to be responsible for his own actions, responsibility for the baby’s health rests with the parents.
Valgus curvature of the legs in a child is a fairly common phenomenon. However, not every curvature in children should be considered a pathology. In most cases, the defect corrects itself with age, but the process must be kept under control. If the deformity is a pathological deviation from the norm, then it is necessary to carry out special treatment and even surgical intervention if absolutely necessary. An advanced form of the disease can bring a lot of problems and complications over the years.
In general, valgus is an abnormal development of the limb as a result of deformation of the joints in an inward direction. Valgus deformity of the lower extremities can be congenital or acquired:
The mechanism for the formation of curvature of the limbs in children is based on a certain abnormal process. In any joint of the leg, the internal condyles of the articulated bones develop faster than their external elements, which causes an increase in the joint space in the internal zone with a simultaneous decrease in its size in the external direction. As a result of the formation of such a defect, the ligaments that fix the joint on the inside are stretched.
The knee joint, foot and fingers are most often affected by valgus deformity. Disturbances of the femur and tibia are somewhat less common. Ultimately, the child’s leg becomes bent, which becomes visually noticeable.
It should be noted that most infant defects of the lower extremities are not pathological. They lead to minor curvatures, and most importantly, they do not progress and disappear spontaneously with age. Special treatment in such circumstances is not required, but monitoring of the process by a pediatric orthopedist is necessary.
Pathological deviations are identified by significant deformation, which gradually increases. They cause improper redistribution of loads when walking, and ultimately can lead to serious joint disorders, including limited mobility. They need to be treated at the earliest stages.
Valgus deformity of the knee joints in children is considered the most common pathology. It causes an X-curvature of the legs. It is clearly visible when you bring your knees together in a standing position. If there is deformation between the feet, a gap is formed, the size of which indicates the degree of curvature. A non-dangerous deformity is caused by the lateroposition of the quadriceps muscle and is characterized by a deviation from the norm of no more than 5? with a gradual increase to 6–7? (no more). A clinical indicator of pathological deformation is the presence of a gap of more than 5–5.5 cm between the inner sides of the feet.
The congenital nature of deformities of the knee joints is recorded quite rarely and is associated with abnormal development of the femoral neck, foot and lower leg. These pathologies can be unilateral or bilateral. For children, the acquired form of the disease is more typical, most often arising during the initial attempts to stand up and walk independently. Such actions cause significant stress on the knee joint, and the full formation of the child’s muscles and ligaments has not yet been completed.
The most common cause of the defect is an instinct that forces you to spread your legs wide in an attempt to maintain balance. Non-pathological changes should resolve on their own by the age of 8–10 years, and when the deformity does not decrease by this age, therapeutic measures must be taken.
Valgus deformity of the knee in children can be provoked by the following factors:
The main symptom of valgus deformity of the knee joint is a pronounced X-shaped curvature of the legs, which leads to rapid fatigue when walking and pain. The progression of the pathology is directed towards eversion of the limb at the knee joint and ankle, which can cause flat feet, changes in gait, and the development of scoliosis.
Valgus deformity of the foot in children is expressed in a violation of the position of the foot, namely in the deviation of its sole inward. As is known, normally the angle at which the foot is located relative to the lower leg is 90?, but in pathology it differs from a right angle. As a result of deformation, the arch of the foot decreases and its axis shifts. When looking at the feet from above, an X-curvature is visible. Another common option is flatfoot deformity or flatfoot.
The following main causes of hallux valgus in children can be identified:
Quite often, children have hallux valgus, with the big toe suffering the most. This defect is caused by pathological changes in the metatarsophalangeal joint, causing the big toe to bend inward. Naturally, the direction of the other toes is gradually disrupted. A characteristic manifestation of the disease is the formation of a “bone” in the joint, which causes pain, swelling, and fatigue when walking.
In advanced stages, the following complications are possible:
Uncontrolled progression of the pathology can cause bursitis and Deichlander's disease.
Curvature of the legs in a child can cause deformation of the hip joints. The hip most often suffers due to congenital pathologies. One of the common causes is hip dysplasia of varying degrees. The problem is that in infants this type of deformity is difficult to detect visually; only after 6 months is it diagnosed by ultrasound or x-ray. Valgus deformity of the femoral neck causes an increase in the neck-shaft angle. Usually this disease, hallux valgus and flat feet occur together.
Damage to the ankle joint is manifested by a clear displacement of the heel outward and a shift of the foot itself inward, which often provokes plano-valgus flatfoot. This hallux valgus deformity in a child causes intense pain when moving the lower leg and foot. At the initial stage, the pain quickly subsides, but as the disease progresses it becomes more frequent and intensifies. The child develops stiffness in the lower leg, which makes normal movements difficult.
If treatment of hallux valgus is started in a timely manner, then the defect can be eliminated using a conservative method. In advanced forms, surgical treatment is used as a necessary measure. Conservative effects are ensured by the following methods:
In an advanced stage of the pathology, when there is a real risk of complications and in cases where therapy is powerless, treatment of valgus curvature of the limbs is provided surgically. Before such an intervention, the diagnosis is clarified using modern diagnostic techniques - computed tomography and MRI.
Valgus curvature of the legs in a child requires careful attention. Most of these disorders do not require special treatment and are eliminated with age. However, pathological deformations cannot be triggered. Their treatment at an early stage is ensured by a conservative method, but complicated forms lead to surgery.
X-shaped legs or wheel legs, although not as common, can be noticed in some children under the age of 2-3 years. In any case, it is clear that this is not the norm. Some parents take this calmly, thinking that it is temporary and will correct itself, while others immediately sound the alarm.
To understand how serious the problem is, you need to understand its nature and reasons for its occurrence, as well as find out what consequences it is fraught with. Afterwards, you can decide whether it is worth subjecting the child to any procedures and additional stress, or, indeed, there is nothing wrong with crooked legs and over time they will straighten naturally.
This is the scientific name for a deformity of the knee joint, as a result of which the legs of a 2-year-old child do not become straight and even, but take on the shape of the letter X. Any mother can diagnose this pathology independently. It is enough to stand the baby straight and connect the heels.
If there are no deviations, then the legs will touch each other at three points: at the knees, the middle of the shin and ankles. With hallux valgus, the child will not be able to connect the ankles - there will be a gap of 4-5 cm (or even more) between them, while the knees will be tightly closed. If the baby does manage to put his ankles together, then his knees will overlap each other.
There may be several reasons:
Rickets is the most common cause of curvature of the legs (any kind) in children in the first years of life. It is caused by a lack of vitamin D in the body, so you should not think that this disease is a thing of the past. Nowadays it is just as relevant, especially in the autumn-winter period.
The fact is that we get vitamin D directly from sunlight. And if a child is born in autumn or winter, it is not surprising that he is deprived of the most valuable substance. With a lack of vitamin D, bones become soft and knee joints become deformed.
Children who tend to get up and walk on their own too early are at risk of developing x-shaped legs. In this case, the rule “the sooner the better” is inappropriate. There is a time for everything, and when the baby begins to walk too early (even in a walker), the fragile legs become deformed. If the child is overweight, the problem gets worse.
It is widely believed that bow legs are a purely hereditary disease and therefore cannot be treated. Yes, if there is a hereditary predisposition, it is very difficult to correct the curvature of the legs and, most often, it is only possible through surgery. But such a cause is rare, and most cases still do not have a hereditary factor.
The various diseases listed in the list are also individual and isolated. These are the least likely causes of bowed legs in children.
Not all parents wonder what complications the child’s X-shaped legs are fraught with. And if it is also a boy, many believe that, unlike a girl, beauty is not necessary for him. However, if you look into it, the matter turns out to be much more serious than an unaesthetic appearance.
With hallux valgus, the load is incorrectly distributed to all joints of the lower extremities. This leads to the development of planovalgus deformity of the feet, when the correct placement of the foot is also disrupted. In the future - curvature of the spine and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Moreover, pain in the legs will make itself felt not in old age, but much earlier - already in high school age. Therefore, the question of whether any action should be taken becomes irrelevant. It is necessary, and as soon as possible!
Early age is a definite advantage. The younger the child is, the easier it will be to correct the situation. While the body is just forming, it is easier to help it.
An adult can only rely on surgical intervention. Surgery is rarely prescribed for children, in those extreme cases when complex treatment does not produce results and when the child has reached 7 years of age.
It is possible to correct the situation, but you will have to make an effort. Timely treatment plays an important role. As we have already said, if you tackle the problem before the age of 3, when the child’s bones are just forming, the chances of success are greatest. 7 years is the extreme age when it is still possible to bring the legs back to normal using conservative methods.
Treatment for hallux valgus should be comprehensive and versatile. Parents first need to see a doctor who will give a referral for examination. Based on the test results, the doctor prescribes a vitamin D solution (water or oil). When the disease has already developed, an increased dosage is prescribed.
In addition to the drug taken orally, plaster casts on the knee joints are used for up to 2.5-3 years. The essence of this method is to reduce the load on the bones, which will grow faster, and gradually the legs will align. If you use plaster casts, you should be prepared for the duration of treatment - at least 1.5-2 years.
A good aid is orthopedic shoes. It clearly fixes the foot and ankle joint, thus ensuring the correct position of the foot.
An appointment for massage and physical therapy is required, recommendations are given on special physical exercises and diet, as well as advice on what additional parents can do at home. After all, in order to fight the disease, you even have to change your lifestyle.
It is recommended to take 4 or more courses per year and trust only a specialist, since we are talking about treatment, not prevention. However, there are techniques that parents can learn themselves and do in addition to therapeutic massage.
The main task is to strengthen the muscles of the thighs and lower legs on the inside, and relax the muscles on the outside. In addition, you also need to work on the muscles of the back, lower back and buttocks.
The first sessions should last 15-20 minutes. Gradually the duration can be increased to 30 minutes, but no more.
The main technique is stroking:
Light patting, kneading, rubbing, and pinching are also allowed.
It is advisable to perform the exercises after a massage, but if you return to them several times during the day, the benefits will be obvious. Exercises in which the load on the outer edge of the foot increases, and on the knee and ankle joints decreases, will help correct the irregular shape of a child’s feet.
So that your child does not refuse therapeutic exercises, you can interest him by turning classes into a game:
Even if you spend a little time on the exercises, in combination with other types of treatment they will give good results. And the gaming moment will give the child a lot of pleasure and make him want to return to fun activities again and again.
Electrical stimulation is prescribed when valgus deformity of the knee joints is complicated by planovalgus deformity of the feet. Electrical impulses of varying duration stimulate muscle motor activity and improve blood circulation in the lower extremities. Muscle contraction alternates with short pauses, during which the muscles relax.
This type of treatment is contraindicated if the child has open wounds or colds.
It should be noted that great attention should be paid to the child’s diet in any case, since nutrition is the basis of health. If curvature of the legs is already observed, then it is necessary to create a special diet.
The most important elements for proper bone formation are calcium and phosphorus. It is their deficiency that leads to deformation of bones and joints.
Calcium is found in all natural dairy products, eggs and fish. Phosphorus is found in meat foods, milk, nuts and legumes. And vitamin D, which we have already written so much about above, helps the absorption of these two beneficial substances.
It is necessary to ensure that the baby’s diet is enriched with calcium and phosphorus. All of the listed products should be present on the children's menu every day. And so that the child does not get bored with monotonous food, you can make many variations. For example, add honey, berries or dried fruits to kefir and cottage cheese, and for hot dishes of fish and meat, alternately use different cooking methods (stewing, baking, steaming, boiling).
Experts say that up to 2 years of age, slight curvature of the legs is observed in many children and is not a pathology. However, even if a child has straight legs, it’s a good idea to think about prevention, which will at the same time strengthen the entire body.
In addition to a balanced diet, it is necessary to ensure that the baby’s weight is normal. Extra pounds can cause not only problems with the musculoskeletal system, but also have a negative impact on overall development.
When a child begins to walk, you need to take care of good shoes. The backdrop should be high and rigid enough to secure the foot; there must be a slight elevation on the insole to prevent flat feet.
It will not be beneficial for a child to stand still for a long time, especially with his legs spread wide. But moving actively is the opposite. Wall bars, running, jumping, cycling and especially swimming are the only sports in which all muscle groups develop harmoniously and the functioning of all internal organs is normalized.
It is better to beware of skating, rollerblading and jumping on trampolines and other soft surfaces. These types of physical activities are not very beneficial. But you can walk barefoot on grass, pebbles, a massage mat and any other uneven surface as much as you like.
And of course, sunbathing is good for saturating the body with vitamin D. Starting with 15 minutes a day and gradually increasing the time, avoiding drafts and overheating, you can accustom your child to the sun in the spring. Such prevention will not only be beneficial for physiology, but will also guarantee the baby many positive emotions.
Good day to all! Perhaps my comment will be useful to someone. My daughter was diagnosed at 1.7, consulted with a couple of good orthopedists and the recommendations for treating such a diagnosis are similar: exercise therapy, massage, cycling, etc. The sight was deplorable: the distance was about 15 cm, the gait was like on stilts, the unnatural bend of the leg when walking, the heel was displaced. Moreover, if you follow all the recommendations, then perhaps by the age of 9-10 your legs will straighten out. At this age, a child cannot be forced to do gymnastics, but in a playful form it lasts for the whole day, and it must be done every day. In our frantic pace, it is difficult to comply with all requirements. The article correctly states that before the age of three it is very easy to correct the situation!! This is what I started from. Every day I gave the child a foot massage for 10 minutes before bed. On YouTube you can find videos on how to do this or, alternatively, see a massage therapist (which is what I did, I took the basic exercises from the course). In a nutshell, after basic manipulations with the legs, I “warmed up” the leg bone and kneecap with rubbing movements, so to speak, held the leg on the inside of the knee and with the other hand pulled the shin straight (a slight tension should be felt), hold for 3-4 seconds , so 5-6 times. A month later, my gait changed noticeably. Now my daughter is 2.3 and her legs are almost straight, I still continue to massage, but only when she is sleeping, immediately after she falls asleep (I only do “pulling”, so to speak). It is necessary to exclude everything that puts a load on the knee joint: scooters, cars on which you need to push off with your feet, skates, skis... And also in a playful way, I ask the child to reach the nose with the tips of his toes. And in the first months, the child ran on his toes at home every day during the day, also in a playful way, so there was less load on the heel. Plus, therapeutic orthopedic shoes.
Love, thank you, I'll take note! My 2-year-old girl recently noticed that her legs are X. The distance is not very large, but since I noticed, I need to act.
Love, thank you!! My son is 2 years old, has x-legs, and loves to jump on the trampoline and on the bed, but it turns out that this is not possible! Today we are already sleeping, and tomorrow I will start doing this massage!
Thanks love! Can you provide a link to this video?
Hello, good people. I am a nurse specializing in pediatric massage and exercise therapy. Highest category. Every 5 years I undergo advanced training in my specialty at the Advanced Training School in Moscow (metro station Konkovo).
The roller does not correspond to the correct treatment of planovalgus foot and x-shaped position of the n/limbs. Depending on age, the massage should be general or local with an emphasis on the soles of the feet and the anterior-inner surface of the legs. In these areas, all massage techniques (stroking, rubbing, kneading, intermittent vibration) are performed more intensely. We massage the lateral (external) muscle group very gently, gently, improving only trophism, without increasing tone. Massage of the back surface of the muscles - stimulating. The thigh massage is stimulating, with equal strength on all sides.
But this video shows completely the opposite, worsening the correct placement of the feet. Sorry.
Thank you for your comment! The opinion of such a specialist is very important to us. Let's find another video! Corresponding to your comment!
The topic is fully covered. Thanks to the author. Please show me the correct shoes for kids. Our teacher advised putting shoes on the child from the moment the child began to crawl and sit up on his own! Because at any moment he will crawl to the sofa and try to get to his feet. And at this moment, correct positioning of the feet and the entire lower limb is mandatory. Forgive me, personally, when working with children, I recommend that parents buy children's shoes “Kotofey”, “the first step”. They correspond to the recommendation that is present in the text. Genuine leather, high hard heel, metal clasp so that the baby cannot unfasten and remove the shoes. For summer, the material is also natural denim, vilvet. The main thing is that the foot fits snugly in the shoe. Peace to you. May God grant that all children are healthy.
Love, please give me a link to the video, I’m afraid I’ll make a mistake, there’s so much... And your example is very useful and gives hope, thanks in advance!
Newborn babies often experience slight bowing of the legs. If the defect does not disappear by three or maximum five years, it needs to be corrected. In addition to the psychological factor, a person also experiences physical problems. When the legs are deformed, the load on the knee joint is distributed unevenly, which leads to osteoarthritis and flat feet.
Orthopedists distinguish 2 main types of deformation of the lower extremities - O-shaped and X-shaped.
The cause of curvature of the legs in a child can be factors such as:
Early loads on the lower limbs
This happens especially quickly in overweight children. .
Osteochondrosis deformans (Blount's disease)
If the baby’s legs are bent quite strongly, then this can be seen with the naked eye. To determine even minor deviations from the norm, ask the child to stand up straight and bring his heels together.
Compare the baby’s legs with the diagram presented:
As can be seen from the pictures, the child’s legs can be normal, X-shaped or O-shaped. If your child is under 3 years old, his legs may be shaped like the letter “O”. At older ages, X-shaped deformities of the lower extremities are more often observed.
Pathological abnormalities can be completely cured if the child has not yet reached school age, and treatment should begin no later than 2 years.
To correct the lower extremities, methods such as:
Therapeutic gymnastics consists of a number of exercises:
During outdoor games and exercises, it is necessary to exclude prolonged load of the baby’s body weight on the knees and ankle joints , while helping to strengthen the muscular-ligamentous system.
To make it interesting for your child, turn morning exercises with exercises that help correct the shape of your legs into a fun game:
Leg deformities in the shape of the letter “O” should begin to be treated as soon as the first signs of pathology appear. Otherwise, the child has a gait disorder, he often falls, and cannot walk long distances. In addition, the baby’s spine suffers and the posture becomes distorted.
Varus deformity of the limbs causes:
• Uneven development of knee joints.
• widens on the outside and narrows on the inside.
• Sprain of the ligaments that strengthen the knee joint.
During treatment, a whole range of measures are used, which are carried out as prescribed and under the supervision of specialists:
The following massage sequence is used:
For varus pathology, you need to do the following exercises with your baby:
It is useful for the baby to sit more often in the “between the heels” position. To do this, you need to put the child on your knees, spread your feet with your toes apart and sit between them.
If a child has a pronounced curvature of the legs in the form of the letter X or O, one should not hope that with age everything will go away and the legs will take a normal shape. Curvatures can and should be dealt with. One of the effective ways is therapeutic exercises. A simple set of exercises will help you cope with the irregular shape of children's legs.
Exercise 1 . We alternate walking on toes and heel x . Designate a short path for your child, for example, from wall to wall in the room. To make it more interesting for the child, first let the baby walk in one direction on his toes, and in the opposite direction on his heels. Then - half the track on the toes, half on the heels. By the end of the exercise, you can alternate 5 steps on your heels and 5 on your toes. Total duration 2-3 minutes.
Exercise 2 . The bear is clubfooted . Show your child how to walk using only the outside or inside of the foot. You can perform the exercise similarly to walking on your toes and heels - alternating the positions of your legs. The duration of the lesson is no more than 3 minutes.
Exercise 3 . We dangle our legs . IP (starting position) – sitting on a chair. The arms rest against the waist, the legs should reach the floor. First, we pull our fingers up, then bend them down. We repeat several times. We place our feet alternately on the outer and inner sides. The total duration of the exercise is 1-2 minutes.
Exercise 4 . Rubbing feet on feet . IP - sitting on a chair, legs slightly raised. We try to wipe the right leg from bottom to top with the foot of our left foot, then the left foot with the foot of our right foot. Repeat the exercise 6-8 times with each leg.
Exercise 5 . We carry out captures . IP - sitting on a chair. Small objects are laid out next to the chair, under the feet - pencils, pebbles, small soft toys and rags. You need to grab any object with your toes and hold it for as long as possible. You need to perform the exercise alternately with your left and right legs, and then with both legs at once. The duration of the exercise is 2-4 minutes.
Exercise 6 . To complete the task you will need a ball . IP - sitting on a chair. The ball is placed under your feet. First, with the left foot, then with the right foot, roll the ball forward - backward, left - right. After several repetitions, they grasp the ball with the insides of their feet and try to lift and hold it above the floor. The total duration of the exercise is 2-3 minutes.
Exercise 7 . IP - sitting on a chair . Place a small stick under your feet (you can use a regular rolling pin). Place your feet on it and roll the stick back and forth. In this case, the entire foot should be involved - from the heel to the toes. The duration of the lesson is 1-2 minutes.
Exercise 8 . IP - sitting on the floor in Turkish style . First, the child sits in a yoga pose (left leg on the right) for no more than 2 minutes. The child’s task is to rise from the floor, relying only on his legs. At the same time, an adult stands behind him, supporting him by the hands. Changing the position of the legs (right to left), the exercise is repeated. The duration of the lesson is 2-3 minutes.
Exercise 9 . Walking on a log . In the cool season at home, and in the summer outside, the child should walk barefoot on the log. At the same time, the parents are nearby and insure the baby. The duration of the exercise is 2-4 minutes.
Exercise 10 . We use a wall bars . The child climbs and descends on the exercise equipment barefoot for 2-3 minutes. For the safety of the child, adults must provide protection.
With hallux valgus, modern medicine allows you to do without plaster and metal devices after surgery. The surgeon changes the angle between the bones and straightens the ligaments. Already on the second day after such an operation, the child can walk independently. Surgical intervention is resorted to no earlier than the child reaches 6-7 years of age .
In order not to bring the situation to surgery, contact an orthopedist at the first signs of curvature of the baby’s legs.
Legs in a wheel shape (letter O) or X-shaped (valgus curvature) are a normal condition for children under 3 years of age. A child makes many more varied movements and steps than an adult. And for a fragile and flexible skeleton this is a big load. After three years, crooked legs usually straighten out. If children have wheel legs or an X-shaped curvature that does not disappear, treatment must be started.
There can be several reasons for curvature of the legs. A newborn baby has crooked legs. This is an absolutely normal phenomenon, since he was in a fairly compact position in the womb. Most often, children under one year of age have legs with the letter “O” (wheel). After one year the child begins to walk. And since up to 3 years of age the child’s skeleton is still very elastic, the shape of the legs may begin to change to an X-shape.
The main cause of crooked legs may be excess weight. Overfed children move less, crawl less and often skip the “crawling” stage. Such children try to immediately stand on their feet, which is a huge burden for the baby’s untrained legs. The imperfect ligamentous-muscular system also fails to cope with its function and the legs begin to bend.
The reasons that influence the occurrence of X-shaped curvature include gender. Girls have a wider pelvis and shorter hip bones than boys. This can cause an X-shaped curvature.
Serious reasons why children under 3 years of age may have crooked legs are diseases that disrupt the metabolism and absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the body. For example, kidney disease. Because of them, the elements necessary for the formation of the skeleton are not retained in the body.
Rickets is a fairly common disease that causes bowed legs. Rickets occurs due to a persistent lack of vitamin D in the body. Calcium is absorbed only together with this vitamin. The lack of calcium can lead to the fact that the skeletal system does not develop; bones are plastic and easily deformed. Sunlight can provide the most vitamin D. Most often, rickets affects children born in the autumn-winter period. Sometimes they are prescribed a course of vitamins to compensate for the deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency can also occur due to a poor diet and dysbiosis, which disrupts the absorption of vitamins.
Signs of rickets in children
Incorrect shoes cause children to walk incorrectly and, as a result, develop problems with the musculoskeletal system and crooked legs. The issue of choosing shoes must be approached very carefully, starting from the first year of life. Shoes should have a rigid but elastic heel; a small wide heel is considered most suitable for shaping the foot.
Hip dysplasia is a congenital defect. It occurs due to the fact that the mother did not have enough vitamins during pregnancy. Alcohol and smoking are also the main factors that can provoke various pathologies, including dysplasia.
Heredity can also be another reason why children may have bow legs. Perhaps parents or relatives had the same limb structure
Crooked legs in children over one year of age are a serious reason to consult a pediatrician. Get regular check-ups with doctors and bring any particular problem to the doctor’s attention.
The X-shaped curvature is visible visually. At home, you can find out for yourself whether it is time to sound the alarm. Place the child upright with his legs together. If he is no more than 4 years old, and the distance between the feet is more than 4–5 cm, then this indicates the presence of deformity.
In addition to external manifestations, the child may also complain of pain in the legs. He gets tired quickly and is less mobile than other children. Of course, his inactivity may also be associated with characteristics of temperament and character. But this can also be an additional signal that the problem needs to be addressed.
The unaesthetic nature of the disease is not the worst problem. What is dangerous is what can entail such a curvature. Displacement of the support from the correct axis can lead to various pathological changes in the joints of the lower extremities and even to curvature of the spine. In addition, flat feet develop, which puts additional stress on the joints and can cause pain in the legs.
An X-shaped curvature is not necessarily symmetrical. Only one limb can be deformed. In this case, the body may deviate from the vertical axis, which is fraught with consequences such as scoliosis.
X-shaped curvature of the legs is not only a cosmetic defect, but also a serious problem that needs treatment. X-shaped curvature in children is treated using a set of special methods.
The fact that diapers can cause crooked legs is nothing more than a myth. Pediatricians around the world recommend swaddling the baby loosely during the first year, so that the legs lie turned out to the sides. Tight swaddling is also completely out of date, since it has been proven to be ineffective for creating straight legs in children.
You can correct crooked legs with massage. Treatment must be carried out in courses (20 procedures each) at least 4 times a year. The doctor massages not only the lower extremities, but also massages the buttocks and back. Massage can be done from the first years of life.
You can also massage yourself at home. With an X-shaped curvature, the muscles of the outer thigh need to be relaxed, and the inner ones need to be strengthened. The massage is carried out with light stroking movements and begins with rubbing the foot and toes. Then move higher towards the knee.
Do gymnastics with your baby every day. This is necessary to strengthen the muscles and will also help straighten crooked legs. Do the exercises together and set an example for your child. Exercises designed to straighten crooked legs can be as follows.