Bow Leg Treatment in Mumbai
Bow legs, also called Genu Varum, is a common condition in young children. Bow legs are described as a visible gap between the knees when you are standing with ankles together. Infants usually have bow legs because of their position in the wombs.
The leg alignment starts to look normal with straightened knees. However, if the bow legs persist beyond 2-3 years, parents must visit an orthopedic surgeon in Mumbai to figure out the underlying cause.
Causes and Symptoms of Bow Legs
Many children are born with curved legs, which become more noticeable when they start standing and walking. That’s because of their position (folded legs) in the mother’s womb. Fortunately, most children outgrow bow legs.
Bow legs that persist or might get worse over time are linked to Blount’s disease, a less common growth disorder, which affects tibia. Rickets is another major cause of bow legs, bone pain, and delayed growth in children. It occurs due to vitamin D deficiency.
Here’s how to know if your child has bow legs:
- Knees curving outward when standing or walking
- Difficulty walking properly. The child might limp or trip frequently
- Bone pain and muscle weakness (in children with rickets)
When Is it a Concern?
As mentioned above, most children with bow legs during infancy will have straightened legs and a proper gait at the age of 2-3 years. However, if the curving persists or seems to get worse with asymmetrical legs, limping, short stature, and delayed growth milestones, consider visiting a hospital for bow leg treatment in Mumbai.
Bow Leg Treatment
1. Non-surgical Procedures
For young children, orthopedic doctors usually advise parents to wait and monitor the child’s growth. If the bow legs are linked to underlying health issues, medication and therapies may be recommended to treat those disorders. For example, vitamin D and calcium supplements are given for bow legs caused by rickets. Sometimes, bracing with physiotherapy may help improve gait.
2. Surgical Treatment
Osteotomy is the most preferred surgical procedure for bow legs. The surgery involves cutting the bone and realigning them into the correct position. The realigned bones are then secured with screws and plates so they remain stable.
Sometimes, a less-invasive surgery, called guided growth, is performed in young children. The surgeon places plates and screws on one side of the growth plate to slow down bone growth on that side. Meanwhile, the other side of the bone grows normally. Over years, the bone starts growing evenly again. This may correct bow legs.
Cost of Bow Leg Treatment in Mumbai
The cost of bow leg treatment in Mumbai depends on multiple factors. The hospital you choose, whether your child needs an invasive or non-invasive treatment, surgeon’s expertise, hospital stay, anesthesia, and types of plates or external fixators used during the procedure can all affect the treatment cost.
Recovery Timeline
The recovery period for bow leg treatment can vary between children. It depends on the type of treatment you’re advised. Surgical procedures like guided growth, offer relatively quick recovery, but require regular follow-ups until the bone alignment is achieved.
Osteotomy, on the other hand, is a more-invasive surgery that may take 3-6 months for functional recovery and up to 12 months for the child to start strenuous physical activities, including sports.
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