About Bowed Legs
Key Highlights
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Corrects significant leg deformity to improve walking mechanics and posture.Alleviates knee and ankle pain often associated with severe bowing.Prevents long-term complications like early-onset arthritis in the knees.Can improve a child's physical mobility and participation in activities.Modern surgical techniques aim for precise correction with minimal scarring.
Who is this surgery for?
- Severe, progressive, or painful bowing that does not improve with growth (typically after age 3-4).
- Diagnosis of Blount's disease (tibia vara), a growth disorder affecting the shin bone.
- Bowing caused by metabolic bone diseases like rickets that is unresponsive to medical therapy.
- Significant leg length discrepancy or abnormal gait causing functional limitations.
- Bowing due to trauma or infection that has healed in a deformed position.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive orthopedic evaluation including physical exam and full-length standing X-rays.
- Blood tests may be ordered to rule out underlying metabolic conditions like rickets.
- Discussion of the surgical plan, risks, benefits, and expected outcomes with the pediatric orthopedic surgeon.
- Pre-operative instructions regarding fasting (no food or drink) for a specified period before surgery.
- Arranging for post-operative support and time off school for the child's recovery.
Risks & possible complications
- General surgical risks: infection, bleeding, or adverse reaction to anesthesia.
- Nerve or blood vessel injury near the surgical site.
- Delayed bone healing or non-union of the osteotomy site.
- Over-correction or under-correction of the deformity.
- Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis).
- Need for additional surgery, such as hardware removal.
- Stiffness in the knee or ankle joint.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Hospital stay is required for pain management and initial monitoring after surgery.
- The leg will be placed in a cast or brace to protect the correction as the bone heals.
- Use of crutches or a walker is necessary to keep weight off the leg for several weeks.
- Regular follow-up visits and X-rays are crucial to monitor bone healing and alignment.
- Once the bone is healed, physical therapy is started to restore strength, flexibility, and normal gait.
- Full recovery and return to sports may take several months, depending on the procedure's complexity.
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Typical hospital stay: 3-5 days
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Expected recovery time: 3-6 months for full functional recovery
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering bowed legs in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with pediatric orthopedics departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform bowed legs. MediFyr helps you compare pediatric orthopedics and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for bowed legs compare across other countries where we have data.
John Bhatia is a 4-year-old boy...
John Bhatia is a 4-year-old boy from a family with a history of early walkers. His parents first noticed his legs bowing shortly after he started walking at 10 months old, assuming he would 'grow out of it.' By age 3, the bowing in both legs was pronounced, causing him to waddle when he ran and trip frequently during play. Concerned about his clumsiness and the visible curve, his pediatrician referred him to a pediatric orthopedist. After X-rays confirmed bilateral tibia vara (Blount's disease), the doctor recommended guided growth surgery, a minimally invasive procedure using small plates to gently correct the alignment over time. John underwent the outpatient surgery, which involved two tiny incisions. The initial recovery involved mild pain managed with medication and walking normally within a few days. Over the next year, the plates guided his legs to straighten naturally. His emotional journey was marked by his parents' initial anxiety and guilt, fearing they had missed something. John, however, adapted bravely. Post-recovery, he runs with confidence, no longer trips, and proudly shows off the small scars as 'robot parts.' His family feels immense relief, witnessing his newfound physical ease and joy.
Pediatric Orthopedics for Bowed Legs
Explore experienced pediatric orthopedics who regularly perform bowed legs and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 14 Years Experience
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad, Ghaziabad
- 23 Years Experience
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata