Bow Legs

About the Symptom

Bowed legs is a condition where one or both of the legs curve outward at the knees. It is also called genu varum.

When to See a Doctor

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

• Low back pain

Possible Causes

Generally, Bow legs can be related to:

• Osteoarthritis (OA)

  Wear and tear of the joint cartilage over time. Risk factors include repetitive joint movements and carrying heavy loads for many years.

• Osteomalacia / Rickets

  Osteomalacia is the softening of bones due to defective bone mineralization, often caused by vitamin D deficiency, leading to bone pain, muscle weakness, and an increased risk of fractures. Rickets is a condition characterized by weakened and deformed bones due to impaired calcium and phosphorus metabolism, primarily resulting from prolonged vitamin D deficiency.

• Osteoporosis

  Osteoporosis is a disease that makes your bones weak and brittle. As result, the bones become more prone to break even with minor trauma or stress that would normally not result in a break. It may be caused due to long-term low calcium intake, estrogen deficiencies in women, and an inactive lifestyle.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
• Neurofibromatosis
• Lumbar Spondylosis

• Hypophosphatasia (HPP)

Doctor's Diagnostic Questions

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:

• Do you have bow legs?
• How long have you had knees not touching when standing with heels together?

Find Similar Symptoms

References

• Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 3(6):p 326-335, November 1995.