If a child with knock knee stands with their knees together, their lower legs will be spread out so that their feet and ankles are further apart than normal.
A small distance between the feet and ankles is considered normal. In children up to four years of age, a gap of up to 10cm (about 4 inches) is not a cause for concern.
However, you should take your child to see their GP if:
- the gap between their ankles is greater than 10cm
- there is a big difference between the angle of their lower legs when standing straight
- there is an excessive inward or outward knee angle
- they have knee pain due to the angle of their knee
- they are having difficulty walking or they walk awkwardly
Read more about leg and foot problems in children.
Knock knee in adults
Knock knee can sometimes occur in adults. In older people it is often associated with joint problems such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
In severe cases of knock knee, poor posture may start to affect other parts of the body, such as the hip joints, back or feet. This can cause pain, a limp or problems walking.
