Protecting Arthritic Knees: Understanding and Managing Genu Valgum

The clinical term for knock-knees is "genu valgum," which literally translates to "knees curving inwards." Young children often display knock-knees with their knees curving inwards or touching as their ankles splay far apart. Most children grow out of knock-knees but those that don't end up placing undue stress on the inward area of the knee joint. This can lead to the development of arthritis later in life. Arthritis can also cause knock-knees. As cartilage erosion brings the inner knee bones closer together than those on the outside, this bone misalignment results in inward bowing of the knee. Such misalignment increases stress in the area, accelerating the cartilage erosion and triggering a vicious cycle of worsening arthritis and knock-knees.

Things You'll Need

• Orthotics
• Braces or cane

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Instructions

• 1

  A simple shoe insert can help realign the knee joint.

  Try a heel insert in your shoes. Such devices are called orthotics and can shift the pressure on knee joints. These shoe wedges can help move pressure to the outer part of the knee, relieve worsening of knock-knees and alleviate arthritic knee pain.

• 2

  Knee braces can help correct knock knee.

  Get fitted with braces or a cane. Knee braces and canes can help correct the misalignment associated with knock-knees, stabilize the joint and reduce knee pain. Braces may be simple elastic wraps or sleeves or custom-fitted metal or plastic aids.

• 3

  Physical therapy can help strengthen outer knee muscles.

  Try physical therapy. Physical therapy, along with braces, can help strengthen the muscles and tendons of the arthritic knee. Consult your doctor before engaging in strenuous muscle strengthening exercises, because it can be harmful if you have knock-knees.

• 4

  Osteotomy is only recommended in specific circumstances.

  Ask your doctor about an osteotomy. Osteotomy involves cutting away a portion of bone in the arthritic knee to correct misalignment. Only a select group of people find this helpful, such as those with specific types of osteoarthritic cartilage damage.

• 5

  Knee replacement works if you still have adequate muscle strength.

  Consult your doctor about a knee replacement. Joint replacement or arthroplasty is done in cases of advanced arthritis. If you still have muscle strength in your arthritic knee and can withstand the surgery and rehabilitation, you may be eligible.