The first thing you need to do is learn to identify what actual knock knees look like. As the name suggest, people with knock knees have knees that come together (or nearly do) when they stand with their ankles apart. This can be pronounced, or more subtle.
Between the ages of two and three years, this is actually considered a normal growth phase, and if your preschooler is in this age group, it’s probably nothing to worry about. The problem usually becomes most noticeable around age four, and by five or six, most children’s legs will straighten out significantly on their own, without any need for medical intervention.
There are certain diseases and health conditions that can cause a more permanent form of knock knees, however. Rickets, as well as certain types of infection or injury to the shin bone can result in permanent knock knees. Children who are overweight or obese are also more at risk of developing a long term knock knees problem.
At this age, knock knees won’t make your child more prone to injuries, and they probably won’t even affect his or her physical development. Long term problems associated with knock knees, however, include hip or ankle strain, and pain in the knees when running. At this point, there’s nothing to prompt an emergency visit to the doctor, however, you might want to have it looked at during your next visit, if only to set your mind at ease.
