What should you know about skinny knock knees?

With knock knees, the knees come together while the ankles remain apart. Less soft tissue can make this position more noticeable, but appearance alone does not show whether the alignment is harmful. In children, knee shape changes during growth and may settle naturally. Persistent, marked, one-sided, painful, or worsening alignment can be linked to bone growth, previous injury, or another orthopaedic problem.

A clinician can watch walking, check hip, knee, and ankle movement, compare both sides, and use standing imaging when the findings require it. [Paediatric Physiotherapy](/treatments/physiotherapy-and-rehabilitation/paediatric-physiotherapy/) can help with muscle control, balance, and activity adaptations. It does not change a fixed bone angle. When structural correction is needed, an [Osteotomy](/treatments/reconstructive-orthopedic-surgery/osteotomy/) may be discussed after specialist evaluation.

Get urgent help after an injury if there is severe pain, swelling, inability to stand, or a sudden deformity. Arrange an orthopaedic review for limping, repeated trips, reduced activity, pain with running, or a widening ankle gap that is becoming more obvious. Do not judge progression from photographs alone; use clinical measurements when advised.

Ask whether the alignment fits the person’s age and growth stage, whether both legs are similarly affected, and which signs would make follow-up or imaging necessary.