Does osteotomy treat bow legs?

Bow legs describe outward angulation of the legs, often around the knee. An osteotomy creates a planned correction in the thigh bone, shin bone or both, then holds the bone in its new position while it heals. The correction aims to improve the mechanical line through the leg and reduce uneven loading. It does not treat every cause of leg shape, and normal variation in children may need observation rather than surgery.

An orthopaedic clinician considers your age, growth, pain, walking pattern, knee stability and whether one or both legs are affected. Standing alignment X-rays may show where the angulation originates. Bring details of progression, previous injuries and family or bone-health conditions. If surgery is planned, discuss weight-bearing limits, physiotherapy, work demands and how fixation will be monitored.

Book an assessment when bowing is worsening, clearly uneven, painful, associated with a limp, or present with knee instability. Prompt review is sensible when a child has progressive deformity or difficulty walking. After an operation, urgent advice is needed for severe increasing pain, a cold or pale foot, new numbness, fever, wound drainage or calf swelling.

Where does the angulation start? Is observation, guided growth or osteotomy most suitable? What correction is planned, how long might protection be needed, and what symptoms should trigger urgent contact?