Knock knees and bow legs.

Variations in gait and posture are among the commonest causes for parental concern in childhood. The shape of the legs and the pattern of gait is subject to continuous modification during growth and development particularly during the first six or seven years of life. Many parents are not aware or have not been told that variations mayoccurandexpectthechildtohave the legs and gait of an adult as soon as hecanwalk. It is when the child is over 2 and is still showing noticeable eversion or intoeing or is becoming knock-kneed that they become worried and seek medical advice. The doctor must be able to decide whether the posture or gait is (a) within normal physiological limits and only reassurance is required, (b) within normal physiological limits but requires specific measures such as alteration to shoes, or (c) abnormal and needs specialist orthopaedic management.