Valgus knee, or genus valgus, is when the knees are misaligned, turned inwards, touching each other. This change can be noticed from the age of 8, because until this stage the most common is that the legs are arched outwards. This condition is also popularly known as 'X-shaped legs' and 'scissor legs'.
The valgus knee increases the loads on the inside of the knees, being more seen in women and its causes include:
- Malformation and development of the legs; Ankle stiffness; Poorly executed physical exercises, such as squats; Genetic factors; Diseases, such as scurvy and rickets, in which vitamin deficiency leads to weakness in the bones.
Usually children are born with a valgus or varus knee, but this is corrected as they grow. If there is no correction, the valgus knee can favor the occurrence of sprains, arthrosis, tendonitis and bursitis. Understand the difference between tendinitis and bursitis and how to treat it.
How to identify
To identify the valgus knee, one must observe the individual's legs in the standing position, keeping the body erect and the feet parallel.
This deviation of the knees does not always cause pain or discomfort, although it can increase the risk of osteoarthritis in this joint, patellar dislocation, stretching of the medial collateral ligament, increases lateral quadriceps traction
How the treatment is done
The treatment to correct the valgus knee is done with corrective exercises indicated by the physiotherapist, with better results when performed on children and adolescents. The use of orthopedic insoles may also be indicated, as they promote the realignment of the ankle and feet and, consequently, avoid misalignment of the knees.
Exercises
Corrective exercises for the valgus knee consist of strengthening the muscles of the anterior and lateral part of the thigh: semitendinosus, semimembranaceous, gracilis, sartorius, vastus medialis and biceps femoris, and the muscles of the lateral and posterior leg should be stretched, as a tensor fascia lata, biceps femoris and lateral knee structures.
It is advisable to avoid certain types of exercises, such as running and squats, and to decrease the intensity and pace of physical activity.
