What should you know about medicine for knock knees?

Knock knees, or genu valgum, describe knees that angle inward when the legs are straight. Alignment can change during childhood, while persistent, worsening, painful, or uneven alignment deserves an orthopaedic assessment. Medicine may help a separate problem such as pain or an identified nutritional or bone condition, but tablets cannot reshape the leg bones. A clinician considers age, growth, walking pattern, joint movement, and whether one side differs from the other.

Do not give a child supplements or pain medicine to correct alignment without a clinician’s advice. Keep track of pain, falls, fatigue, changes in walking, and whether the knees touch while the ankles remain apart. Supportive exercise may improve strength, balance, and movement control when prescribed for the individual; it does not promise a change in bone angle. Paediatric physiotherapy can help assess movement and build an age-appropriate plan. An orthopaedic specialist may monitor growth when symptoms are absent but alignment remains a concern.

Arrange assessment for persistent pain, limping, difficulty running, repeated falls, swelling, stiffness, or alignment that is rapidly changing or clearly different between legs. Seek prompt care after an injury with severe pain, inability to walk, or a visibly deformed limb. Bring information about growth, previous injuries, family history, and any medicines or supplements.

Ask whether the alignment is expected for the child’s stage of growth, whether an underlying bone or joint issue needs testing, and what changes should trigger review. If symptoms persist, ask how physiotherapy may help and when an osteotomy could be discussed.