Bowlegs: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Bowlegs?
A pediatric orthopedic doctor (a children's bone and joint doctor) usually evaluates bowlegs that do not go away. A pediatrician (a children's doctor) often does the first exam. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is bowlegs?
Bowlegs is a condition in which the knees stay wide apart when a person stands with the feet and ankles together. The medical name is genu varum. When a child with bowed legs stands with the feet together, there is a clear space between the lower legs and knees. Walking often makes the bowed look more obvious.
Bowed legs in a toddler are very common and are a normal part of growth in most cases. Infants are born bowlegged because of their folded position in the womb. The legs begin to straighten once the child starts to walk, at about 12 to 18 months. By around age 3, most children can stand with the ankles apart and the knees just touching.
Symptoms
- Knees that do not touch when standing with the feet together and ankles touching.
- Bowing that is the same on both sides of the body.
- An awkward walking pattern, the most common symptom.
Toddlers with bowed legs usually learn to walk on time, and bowed legs do not typically cause pain in a young child. If bowing continues past age 3, it may point to a cause such as Blount's disease or rickets.
Causes and who gets it
In most children under age 2, bowing is a normal variation called physiologic genu varum. It corrects itself as the child grows. When it does not, causes include:
- Blount's disease, an abnormality of the growth plate in the upper part of the tibia (shinbone). It can occur in toddlers and adolescents, and in teens, many children with it are significantly overweight.
- Rickets, a bone disease of children caused by too little calcium, phosphorus, or vitamin D.
- Fractures that do not heal correctly.
- Lead or fluoride poisoning.
How doctors diagnose it
A doctor can often diagnose bowlegs just by looking at the child. The distance between the knees is measured while the child lies on the back. X-rays may be needed if the child is 3 or older, the bowing is getting worse, one side differs from the other, or other tests suggest disease. A standing X-ray can show Blount's disease or rickets. Blood tests may be needed to check for rickets.
Treatment
No treatment is recommended for bowlegs unless the condition is extreme. The doctor watches the child at regular visits, at least every 6 months. Physiologic genu varum almost always corrects itself by about age 3.
Special shoes, braces, or casts can be tried if the condition is severe or the child has another disease, though it is unclear how well these work. Toddlers with Blount's disease may benefit from bracing, but bracing does not work for teens with it. Rickets is often controlled with medication under a metabolic specialist.
Surgery is sometimes done for severe bowlegs in adolescents. The most common operation, called guided growth, uses a small metal plate or staple to temporarily stop growth at the top of the shinbone on the healthy side, so the other side can catch up and the leg straightens. Another option, a tibial osteotomy, cuts and reshapes the shinbone below the knee.
When to see a doctor
Contact your provider if your child shows ongoing or worsening bowed legs after age 3. See the doctor if the bowing continues past age 3 or is clearly getting worse. Untreated Blount's disease or rickets can make the bowing worse through childhood and the teen years.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can measure and watch your child's leg growth at unhurried checkups and refer to a pediatric orthopedic doctor when bowing lasts past age 3. They can also follow up after treatment to make sure the legs straighten as expected.
Common questions
Are bowed legs normal in babies?
Yes. In most children under 2, bowing is a normal variation. It usually starts to improve at about 18 months and has corrected by about age 3.
When should I worry about bowlegs?
If the bowing has not gone away by age 3, is getting worse, or is worse on one side, see a doctor. An X-ray can check for Blount's disease or rickets.
Can bowlegs be prevented?
There is no known way to prevent bowlegs, other than to avoid rickets. Make sure your child gets enough vitamin D in the diet and sensible sunlight exposure.
Do bowed legs cause problems later?
Bowlegs that do not go away and are not treated may lead to arthritis in the knees or hips over time. Untreated Blount's disease or rickets can make the bowing worse through childhood and the teen years.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Bowlegs: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
- OrthoInfo (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - Bowed Legs (Genu Varum, Blount's Disease)
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
