Knocked Knees (Genu Valgum)

Knocked knees is a condition where your knees angle inwards to a point where they touch when standing. This often causes discomfort, poor alignment, and issues with mobility.

While it is a common affliction in children and considered part of their natural growth, it can persist into adulthood or even develop later in life due to injury or biomechanical factors.

At Gold Coast Foot Centres, our experienced podiatrists take a whole-body approach to managing knocked knees. We use advanced diagnostic tools, personalised treatment plans, and targeted therapies to help reduce your pain, improve your alignment, and support your long-term function.

Book an assessment today at one of our various Gold Coast clinic locations.

What Are Knocked Knees?

Knocked knees is medically known as genu valgum. As it is a common part of normal development in children aged between two and seven, it often resolves itself naturally. However, if the condition persists beyond this age or appears in adulthood, it may indicate the presence of an underlying issue.

Some common signs to look out for include hip or knee pain, clumsiness when walking, and uneven shoe wear. In adults, it can lead to joint stress and more intense discomfort. So, it is worth seeking professional advice if knocked knees are causing you pain or mobility issues.

What Causes Knocked Knees?

Knocked knees can develop for a variety of reasons in older people. For instance, if the condition persists or appears later in life, it may be due to underlying structural or biomechanical issues, such as flat feet or poor alignment.

In addition, excess body weight can place added stress on the joints, which can also contribute to the problem, while injuries, particularly around the knee, can also affect your leg alignment.

For some people, there may also be a genetic component involved because nutritional deficiencies (especially in vitamin D or calcium) can lead to bone disorders like rickets, which may result in knocked knees. Therefore, it is important to have a professional assessment performed on you to determine the cause and best course of treatment.

Symptoms of Knocked Knees

Knocked knees can result in a range of symptoms that may affect your comfort and mobility.

Among the most common issues sufferers experience are pain in the knees, ankles, or hips, which is often due to poor alignment and joint strain. Additionally, many people experience difficulty walking or running, especially over long distances or uneven ground.

Some people, particularly children, may also find themselves tripping frequently or develop a clumsy walking style, while in some cases, knee instability can make a person’s movements feel wobbly or unsteady.

When Should You Seek Treatment?

As mentioned, the issue of knocked knees in young children usually resolves itself by age seven. However, if the symptoms persist beyond this age or worsen, then it’s a good idea to seek professional treatment from a qualified podiatrist.

At the same time, adults who notice discomfort, visible leg misalignment, or changes in how they walk should also seek help.

Typically, knocked knees can impact gait, posture, and one’s overall joint function, which often leads to them experiencing pain during their daily activities. If previous attempts at managing the condition, such as rest, stretching, or basic footwear changes, haven’t been effective; it is a good idea to book a podiatry assessment.

The earlier the condition is diagnosed, the more likely you are to prevent further strain and enjoy better alignment and movement after treatment.

Knocked Knees Diagnosis at Gold Coast Foot Centres

At Gold Coast Foot Centres, we are experts at diagnosing the knocked knees condition.

When doing this, you will be given a physical examination to observe your knee position, walking pattern, and posture. Our team also uses advanced tools like 3D foot scanning and video gait analysis to assess how your feet, legs, and knees move together. These technologies help us identify biomechanical contributors such as flat feet, leg length differences, or muscle imbalances.

In addition, our podiatrists will discuss your symptoms and medical history with you. After which, they will develop a treatment plan that targets the root cause of your knocked knees and will improve your long-term comfort and mobility.

Treatment Options for Knocked Knees

At Gold Coast Foot Centres, we take a caring and personalised approach to treating knocked knees. We do this by addressing the underlying causes and determining ways to help you move more comfortably.

Depending on your age, symptoms, and diagnosis, your treatment plan may include one or more of the following options:

Custom Foot Orthotics

Custom orthotics are specially designed insoles that fit into your shoes to support better alignment from the ground up.

For people with knocked knees, orthotics can help correct the positioning of their feet and ankles, which in turn reduces stress on their knees. Redistributing pressure more evenly in this way can relieve their discomfort and help prevent further joint strain.

Footwear Advice

One of the best ways of managing the condition of knocked knees is to wear the right shoes.

Our podiatrists will assess what type of footwear you currently wear and recommend more supportive options that provide better stability for flat feet or valgus alignment. Features like firm heel counters, arch support, and cushioned soles can significantly improve your comfort and posture.

Strengthening & Stretching Programs

Targeted exercises are another effective way to correct muscle imbalances that contribute to poor knee alignment.

Our team can guide you through a range of strengthening routines for the hips, glutes, and thighs, in particular for the quadriceps and hamstrings. They can also recommend stretches to improve your flexibility in the lower limbs.

These programs are designed to help stabilise your knees and enable you to enjoy better movement patterns.

Gait Retraining

If your walking style is placing excess pressure on your knees, gait retraining can help to reduce your levels of discomfort.

By using video analysis, we can identify inefficient movement patterns and teach you how to adjust your stride, foot placement, and posture. Over time, this can notably reduce the strain placed on your joints and improve your long-term mobility.

Paediatric Podiatry Care (for children)

If knocked knees persist in children beyond the normal and expected age range or are causing more acute pain or balance issues, then our paediatric podiatrists can provide gentle, non-invasive solutions to counter them. This includes orthotics, footwear changes, and activity modification.

Referral for Physiotherapy or Imaging

If needed, we may refer you for physiotherapy to support your rehab program. Alternatively, we may recommend imaging such as X-rays to rule out structural abnormalities or injury. 

Why Choose Gold Coast Foot Centres for Knocked Knee Treatment?

At Gold Coast Foot Centres, our experienced podiatrists are committed to providing high-quality care to all our patients.

Guided by the latest published scientific research, we use modern diagnostic tools, including 3D foot scanning and gait analysis, to accurately assess any alignment issues they might be suffering from. We also develop tailored treatment plans around our diagnoses.

Moreover, with several family-friendly clinics conveniently located across the Gold Coast for you to visit, we offer a welcoming environment for all our patients.

Preventing Knocked Knee Complications

While knocked knees is a normal condition in children, there are a number of things they or adults can do to prevent it from occurring in the first place.

One of the most effective is to maintain a healthy weight. Doing this reduces excess pressure on the knees and lower limbs and supports better alignment over time. It is also important to choose supportive footwear with good arch and heel support, as this will help you maintain proper posture and balance.

In children, regular podiatry check-ups during their growth stages are also important, as this ensures their leg alignment is developing normally.

Book an Appointment with Our Gold Coast Podiatrists

If you or your child is suffering from knocked knees, it is worth booking an appointment at one of our Gold Coast locations.

You can do this either via this online booking form or by calling us on (07) 5539 4484. We will do our best to secure you a same-day consultation.

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