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Genu Valgum

Velyn Wu, MACM, MD Reviewed 05/2023
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Angling of the knee(s) toward the midline, giving the appearance of the knees touching while the ankles are apart

    • Medial malleolar separation present when medial knees are touching

  • Cla...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Parental concern about the appearance of a child’s legs often brings the condition to clinical attention.

    • Physiologic valgus is typically cosmetic and not associated with other signs a...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • No treatment is indicated for children <7 years of age with physiologic valgus. Clinical observation with appropriate parental education and reassurance are sufficient (1...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Children with physiologic genu valgum can be followed every 6 to 12 months with serial intermalleolar distances.

  • Patients with pathologic genu valgum should be man...

REFERENCES

1
Tuca M, Franz P, Guerra D et al. Guided growth: indications and techniques for correction of knock knees and bowlegs. Curr Opin Pediatr. 2022;34:92–99.
2
Dobbe AM, Gibbons PJ. Common paediat...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Courvoisier A, Eid A, Merloz P. Epiphyseal stapling of the proximal tibia for idiopathic genu valgum.  J Child Orthop. 2009;3(3):217–221. 

  • M...

CODES

ICD10

  • M21.069 Valgus deformity, not elsewhere classified, unspecified knee

  • Q74.1 Congenital malformation of knee

  • E64.3 Sequelae of rickets

  • M21.061 Valgus deformity, not elsewhere classified, right k...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Genu valgum is a normal physiologic process in children.

  • Characteristics of physiologic genu valgum include:

    • Occurs between 2 and 7 years of age

    • Valgus is symmetric.

    • There are no associate...

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