What should you know about 14 month old bowed legs?

Toddlers begin walking with a broad stance, and their leg alignment changes as they grow. The pattern deserves closer assessment if one side differs clearly, the curve is becoming more pronounced, walking is painful, or growth and general health raise concern.

With bow legs, the knees remain apart when the feet or ankles are brought together. Symmetrical bowing in an otherwise comfortable, active young toddler often reflects the shape carried from infancy and early weight-bearing. Clinicians look beyond appearance to the child’s height, growth pattern, hip and foot position, joint movement and walking.

Marked asymmetry, a focused bend in the shin, tenderness or a pattern that worsens can point away from a simple developmental variation. Nutrition, bone health, previous injury and family patterns may be relevant, so the wider history matters.

Let your child move and play on safe surfaces without trying to force the knees straight. Flexible, well-fitting footwear is suitable when shoes are needed; rigid corrective shoes or braces should not be started without a clinical recommendation. Record occasional front-facing photos taken in a similar standing position to show whether the shape is changing.

Mention the bowing at the child’s routine health visit. Share when walking began, whether falls seem unusual, and whether there is pain, limping or reluctance to bear weight. A paediatric clinician can decide whether observation is enough or examination by an orthopaedic or physiotherapy service is useful.

Book a timely assessment if only one leg is bowed, the curve is rapidly increasing, the child limps, or walking causes pain. Poor growth, unusual tiredness, muscle weakness or delayed movement skills should also be discussed with a paediatric clinician.

Seek urgent care if the child suddenly refuses to stand after an injury, has a visibly deformed or very swollen limb, or seems unwell with fever and severe leg pain.

You can ask whether the bow is symmetrical, whether growth measurements are tracking as expected, what change should prompt reassessment, and whether any tests are needed. Also ask which shoes and activities suit your child and how follow-up will document alignment over time.