Arched Legs: How To Correct Them In Children
Arched legs in children, also called Genum Varo , are a pathology of the tibia that is displaced slightly outward. This creates a separation of the knees creating an arch. The question is: can this defect be corrected?
This type of posture is common in children who are learning to walk and tend to project the tibia outward. The good news is that arched legs are an easily remedied problem.
It is a physiological anomaly related to the flexibility of the muscular system. Most of the time it develops and subsides on its own as the child grows, especially after gaining bone-fortifying body mass.
What to do in front of arched legs in children?
The first step is to wait and observe its evolution. In a large number of cases, this type of pathology corrects itself.
The baby’s growth must be recorded frequently and attention must be paid to its physical development; to monitor if the curvature decreases.
In the event that the baby is already walking and the curvature increases, it is best to contact an orthopedic expert. Taking the child to a series of periodic checkups with his doctor will determine the most appropriate treatment for his condition.
Another important consideration is to monitor and evaluate the levels of Vitamin D, if low, it can cause rickets. It is a disease that is one of the causes of bowed legs in children. Increasing the dosage of this vitamin, if present in low quantities, can help fight this problem.
Treatments for arched legs in children
One of the recommended medical treatments are orthopedic knee pads. These are usually prescribed for children who have arched legs for longer than normal. Treatment with knee pads consists of placing them until the baby’s knee bones are strengthened.
Orthopedic shoes are another option if the child is 4 years old and the problem has not gone away. This type of footwear should only be used under the advice of a doctor.
It should be clarified that this type of treatment is only implemented when the problem is very serious, or if the child also has other infirmities.
Can bowed legs be prevented in children?
There is no formula to prevent this type of anomaly, as well as to avoid rickets. However, the practice of good habits can help to avoid the curvature of the legs. Here are some of them:
- Expose the baby to the first sunlight of the day, so that it receives an appropriate amount of vitamin D.
- Avoid childhood obesity.
- Promote short walks. When walking, the thickness of the muscles prevents the knees from forming the genum varo.
How to correct arched legs?
Here are some practical daily activities that you can apply to correct this pathology.
1. Pay attention to posture while walking
The first thing to do is to help the little one walk properly. Parents should make sure that the little one keeps his back straight while walking, sitting, or sleeping.
When the baby is about to fall asleep, a small pillow can be placed under the neck and one under the knees to stretch the back.
2. Practice useful exercises
There are exercises that are beneficial for children’s arched legs. For example, one is to lay them on their stomach and bend their knees by putting pressure on the stomach, do it slowly and with a lot of patience. Another effective practice is to use a strap to join the legs and then stretch them.
Or you can put one arm behind your neck and grab it with the other hand, this strengthens your back and aligns your sitting and walking posture. During the exercises it is recommended to sing or tell stories so that the child does not get bored.
Practicing pilates is an excellent option. Helps improve posture and strengthen muscles and knees.
Likewise, yoga for children is a fundamental technique for improving the alignment and flexibility of the extremities. For some children, getting good posture may seem difficult, but it can improve with time and practice.
3. Good nutrition
Nutrition must be balanced and natural. It is very important to eat foods rich in calcium, vitamin C and D.
4. Massages
Giving massages can help reduce arched legs in children. In addition to being very relaxing, it can help strengthen the back and leg areas.
In conclusion, as you can see, it is possible to act in front of arched legs in children. Above all it is necessary that parents arm themselves with patience and perseverance to help the little one. The rush to see improvements won’t help anyone.
