BOW LEGS

There are different types of limb deformities.Some examples are:

Bow Legs(Genu Varum)
Knock Knees(Genu Valgum)
Dwarfism(Achondroplasia)
Arm or Leg Length Discrepancies
Congenital Deformities(Birth Defects)etc.

I will be focusing on bow legs in this write-up.

WHAT ARE BOW LEGS?
Bow legs(genu varum) is a condition when knees are wide apart when a person stands with the feet and ankles together.

Initally,due to the folded position in the uterus,infants are born bowlegged but bow legs begin to straighten out when the child starts to walk.When the child is approximately 3years old,the normal appearance of the legs is visible(when the child stands with ankles together,the knees touch to reflect normal position).If the situation remains after this period,then the child can be said to be bowlegged.

The causes of bow legs are Rickets(Vitamin D deficiency),Bone Dysplasia,Blount's disease(Tibia Vara)etc.Blount's disease causes the lower leg to angle inward,resembling a bow leg.Blount's disease is progressive(worsens over time).

Bow legs are not just a reason for an inferiority complex,it causes uneven pressure to the outer and inner part of the knee-joints and this has been proven to lead to early Arthritis,as well as knee pain and progressive deformation.After arthritis develops,a patient may need to undergo knee replacement.

The only way to be protected from knee-joint arthritis is the surgery for the correction of bow legs.There is a very effective method used in the correction of limb deformities called the Ilizarov method.

Here are some useful sites to visit to make enquiries on correction

www.ladisten.com
www.doctorveklich.com
You can also search on google for the following
-The Hospital for Special Surgery,New York
-Apollo Hospitals,India
-Fatimah Hospital,Malaysia.

There are other sites where issues like this are being discussed.Examples are

www.healthboards.com
www.indiaparenting.com
http://www.bowlegged.com/
Bowed legs correction surgery is more reasonably priced in India (This is my personal opinion) and the cost for both legs ranges from $3000-$8000 (according to the replies I got from some of enquiries I made with some hospitals in India).  You should also bear in mind the cost of air ticket, cost of hospital stay etc.

Here is a link to an interview with someone who has had the surgery.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnZBlMEdGNs


I'll be posting more information on this from time to time.I'm also looking to do a correction for my slightly bowed legs, as soon as I get the money to do so.  Attached is a picture of my legs.

You are highly welcome to contribute to this discussion.