Genu valgum is a non-alignment of the knees, more precisely the knees are oriented / brought inwards. A person with genu valgum shows a distance of 3 centimeters or more between the ankles, when standing. This is due to the fact that their knees are facing inwards.

In young children, genu valgum can be considered normal and usually corrects itself as children grow up.
When genu valgum develops later than childhood, it can be the consequence of conditions such as:

➢ injury or infection in the knee or foot
➢ severe lack of vitamin D and calcium
➢ obesity, which puts additional pressure on the knee
➢ knee arthritis
➢ muscle imbalance. The hip muscles and the muscles located on the anterior and posterior side of the thigh have an important role in supporting the knee joint. If any of these muscles are either too weakly toned or too contracted, it may lead to genu valgum. Correcting these muscle imbalances can help support the knee joint and, implicitly, correct the genu valgum
➢ some cases are caused by skeletal and structural differences of the lower limbs.

Genu valgum that persists beyond childhood age may have other symptoms besides the non-aligned knees. These symptoms include:

➢ stiff joints
➢ knee pain mild limp when walking
➢ pain in the hips, ankles or legs, due to overuse of the ligaments and muscles around the knee joint. If only one knee is misaligned (facing inwards) the body position may be unbalanced.

During a physical examination, a specialist will assess how a person with genu valgum stands in an orthostatic position (standing) and how the person walks. The following will also be assessed:

➢ equality or inequality of the length of the lower limbs
➢ angle of alignment of the knees
➢ uneven wear on the soles of the shoes

The physical examination may be accompanied by an X-ray or an MRI examination.

Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the symptoms.

IN CHILDREN, genu valgum can resolve by itself until the age of 8 years.

IN OLDER CHILDREN AND ADULTS with genu valgum, physical therapy is the basis of the treatment, helping to:

- realign the knees
- correct muscle imbalances
- avoiding damage to joint structures (bone structures, ligaments, tendons)

If rickets cause genu valgum, vitamin D and calcium supplements are important.

If obesity is present, putting additional stress on the knees and aggravating genu valgum, weight loss is essential.

A typical treatment plan will include one or more of the following:

Obesity can put extra stress on the knees, aggravating the genu valgum. Thus, developing a healthy weight loss plan is essential.

For most people with genu valgum, specific exercise programs help to realign and stabilize the knees, by correcting muscle imbalances (contractures or muscle hypotonia) in the legs, thigh and hip. Specific stretches can also be useful in relieving symptoms.

If at the level of the lower limbs there is a difference of length as a result of the valgum genu, a heel lift located in the shoe on the shorter side, can equalize the length of the lower limb and can help regularize the gait. It can also relieve leg pain

When the genu valgum is severe or when the exercise program is not enough to relieve pain and stabilize the knees, surgery may be required. In younger people, a small metal plaque inserted into the knees helps direct future bone growth. This minor procedure is called guided growth surgery. The plaque is removed when bone growth is corrected.

In the case of adults, osteotomy is used. This surgery uses permanent metal plaques to keep the bones aligned. This can adjust the leg bones and realign the knees.