Bowing of the legs (genu varum) is common in many children who grow at different rates. It is also common in adults with normal intelligence whose bones are not developing normally. However, are you wondering how you can fix this problem? Well, several solutions can help you fix bowed legs. In this article, we’ll discuss what is bowed legs, the causes, and how to fix them.
What Are Bowed Legs?
Bowlegs, also called genu varum, are a type of leg deformity where the angle between the two bones in the lower legs (the tibia and fibula) is greater than normal. The opposite kind of leg deformity is referred to as knock-knee or genu valgum.
What Causes Bowed Legs?
The cause of bowed legs in adults isn’t fully understood, but it’s thought to be a combination of several factors, including:
- Genetics
- Bodyweight
- Bone structure
- Muscle strength
- Ignoring leg deformation in childhood.
In children, bow-legs can be caused by rickets resulting from an inadequate intake of Vitamin D and calcium. In some cases, there may also be an underlying medical condition that causes the legs to bow.
When you one have bowed leg, it’s sometimes difficult for an orthopedic surgeon or chiropractor to correct both knees at once. The reason being is that adjusting one knee can cause the opposite knee to worsen. If you want both your knees treated successfully (for example, if you’re planning on having other treatment like surgery), then you should get checked by an orthopedic surgeon or chiropractor first to find out if they need treating separately.
Is It Possible to Fix Without Surgery?
The good news is that there’re several different options available for fixing bowed legs in adults. You don’t have to undergo surgery to heal. Here are some ways to fix bowed legs without surgery.
Splinting
Splinting involves wearing a metal brace on your leg, and it can be used to straighten the knee. If you decide to go ahead with this type of treatment, make sure that you only wear the brace during sleep (do not wear it when walking or standing).
Weight Loss
It seems obvious, but losing weight can be a highly effective way of reducing the pain and discomfort associated with bow-leggedness. In some cases, simply by losing weight around the body, you can correct your bowlegs.
Steroid Injections
If straightening your legs with a splint doesn’t work, and then steroid injections may be recommended instead. Steroids are injected into the knee, which helps reduce swelling and pain levels allowing for quicker recovery times. This treatment is typically used in teenagers who suffer from bowed legs as an alternative to surgery. However, the result is only temporary, so if you want lasting results, you will need additional treatments throughout your lifetime (maintenance therapy).
Exercises for Bowlegs
The strengthening exercises are important to straighten the leg muscles. These are thought to be more effective for younger children between the ages of 4 and 8 years. They can also be used by adults who have stiff legs that may need relaxing first before being stretched out again.
Chiropractic Exercises
When you choose chiropractic care, not only do you get help with pain relief, but it might also be able to fix your bowed legs (even if they’re severely crooked). By using scientific methods like X-ray analysis and other diagnostic tests, they’ll be able to identify which areas of the body are misaligned and causing problems. After proper analysis chiropractor can pinpoint at the problem and decide on treatment method.
Your chiropractor will use several different methods to restore your spine to its natural shape and correct any other related problems you have. Using these methods can get your posture back to normal by restoring the correct curvatures of your spine, which can help straighten out knees or legs that are bowed.
Orthotics
Orthotics is either custom-made or off-the-shelf, depending on how you’re feeling about your options for treating your bowlegs without surgery. Off-the-shelf orthotics is made from a template that has been designed based on what’s standard for most people. It provides support and stability, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it will be well suited to your feet (it may not fit perfectly).
The benefit of off-the-shelf orthotics is that they offer immediate results because they can be worn straight away once fitted. A custom-made orthotic, on the other hand, is explicitly designed to fit your feet. It’s ideal for people with one leg shorter than the other (asymmetry) because it allows you to walk with ease without corrective shoes.
What Kind of Exercises Are Needed to Fix Bow Legs?
When your body arches inwards, it takes too much weight off of your bones and puts it on your muscles, which causes them to freeze up. The bow in your legs can be fixed by strengthening your core and hip muscles so that you keep an even weight distribution throughout the day.
Stand against a wall while balancing one leg (make sure that the knee is not locked). If the other foot touches the wall, then this means that you need more flexibility training. If it doesn’t touch, then lack of strength is what causes trouble. Here are some physical exercises for bowed legs to fix them without surgery by strengthening the weak knees.
Squats
Your back should be straight and your chest out while doing this exercise. Stand with your feet shoulder length apart, and lower your hips until both of your thighs are at a 90-degree angle. Repeat 15 times for three sets.
Calf Raises
The only equipment you need is a chair or stairs. Stand with one foot on the stair and one on the floor (use the edge of the stair as support). Inhale as you lift onto your toes, exhale as you lower yourself down. Repeat 15 times for three sets per leg. If this becomes too easy, increase by five repetitions every week until 75 is reached per/leg/week.
One-Leg Deadlifts
You must balance yourself with your hand but maintain a straight back. Stand still, and then slowly lower your hips until the stick touches the floor (repeat 15 times for three sets). If this becomes too easy, increase by five repetitions every week until 75 is reached per/leg/week.
Stretch your hip flexors for 5 minutes after every workout
In addition to strengthening muscles, you must also stretch them out. Hip Flexor stretches are necessary before and after workouts.
Lay flat on the floor with both legs extended and ankles crossed. Bend one knee while keeping the other straight while pulling your leg towards your stomach. Hold for 20 seconds and switch sides. Make sure to repeat this exercise for 5 minutes twice a day (without intense workouts).
Don’t forget about diet
You should also focus on your diet. Be sure to maintain a healthy weight, and avoid processed food as much as possible. Also, eat foods high in calcium, magnesium, Vitamin D, Mg, potassium & phosphorus because these are what bones are made out of. For example, bananas have lots of potassium, so they help maintain a balanced leg structure if eaten regularly. When it comes to meat products, be sure to choose lean cuts with little fat content (e.g., chicken breast). If you do drink alcohol, try not to consume more than one glass/day since excess sugar is unhealthy for the body in general.
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