BOW LEGS. (Genu Varum)

Categories: Deformities

This is the opposite of knock knees, and the
deformity usually affects both limbs, the knees being widely separated.

The disease begins in early childhood; the cause is rickets, and the

deformity is the direct result of the weight of the body and muscular

action.






Treatment. Spontaneous recovery occurs; but if the case is at all severe,

and the child is young enough that the bones have not become firmly set in

the abnormal curves, mechanical treatment should be employed to bring the

limbs to a better position. This may be done by plaster of paris or

braces. This must be used intelligently and continuously. Children should

not be allowed to walk so early, especially those of slow development.