What are Knock-Knees?

I'm 50 years old and was born knocked kneed and pigeon toed. When I turned three, my parents took me to a specialist and he put full leg braces with saddle shoes and eight leather straps on me. I wore these for three and a half years. I had to have help going to the bathroom. I couldn't wear pants with the braces. They were really cold in the winter.

They were taken off just two weeks before I started kindergarten. As I aged, my legs started turning again. Actually, my right leg never went completely straight. I have osteoporosis in my left leg and it's eating away my knee cap and bones. I was told this seven years ago. Now that I'm 59, my doctor will do the replacement. I had a very severe case of knocked knees and I feel replacement is a waste of time. My husband says the same thing.

I don't know what to do. I feel a wheelchair is the best way to go. I can barely walk now, because the right leg has really turned back in. Even a full knee brace doesn't help the right knee.

If anyone knows if knee replacement helped severe knocked knees, will you please reply?

When I was 5, my dad took me to the doctor for being pigeon toed. The doc said lots of kids had that problem and I would grow out of it. Fast forward some 20 years and after an industrial injury, the physical therapist helping me recover pointed out that not only was I knock-kneed, but I had tibial torsion (one of my leg bones grew crooked so when I straighten my knees, one foot points inward). Parents, don't just sit on the issue if your child has leg problems. And don't take "s/he'll grow out of it" as an answer without getting a second opinion. My leg issues could've been fixed as a kid if only my dad or the doctor had been more attentive. It would have saved me a world of knee pain. Now I'm 30 and thanks to a medical layoff, I don't have the insurance to fix either problem.

I'm 15 years old and I'm also knock kneed. Has anyone of you heard of a brace from Korea called Stylex? Please help me!

Has anybody found any way to get rid of knock knees without surgery? Please share with us so that we all can get rid of it and lead our normal, beautiful life.

I am 22 years old. I have knock-knees. I struggled with the teasing throughout middle school, so I do relate to the younger people who have commented. but as I continued into adulthood, I grew to love all of me.

I have some pain walking down staircases, but not too much and I never wanted any surgery. I still have my insecurities about taking pictures that show my legs but I suppose that's to be expected.

No one else in my family has this but me. I used to have a fear of this being hereditary but I no longer have that. People will always watch how I walk, stand and sit. They will notice that I can't do certain dances or even stand on a normal scale, but I maintain. I love me, and I have an amazing boyfriend who accepts this about me. Life isn't perfect. We just have to find those perfect moments!

I have knock knees too, and have been doing exercises to stay fit. I feel hat yoga can help your knock knees.

I am 14 years old almost 15 and I have knocked knees. I also have cmt and high arches, and I am getting jaw surgery because it grew in wrong. Apparently, I went to physical therapy but I was like 10 and I don't remember ever going.

I have had knocked knees since I was little but I never seemed to care until my adolescent years. My mom has high arches which was passed down to me. I have been very jealous of my younger brother and cousin. I feel as if it's unfair that I was born with all of the problems and have to go through so much and they don't have anything at all. When I look around my school I never see anyone who has the same problem as me and it makes me feel as if I'm alone and nobody really understands.

When I heard I could correct my jaw, I was so happy because then I thought well, it's just my high arches, then, until my mom said I walked funny, which really hurt my self-esteem and made me more conscious of it.

I've heard about surgery but it seems scary and painful and I don't think I would want to go through that. I'm thinking of trying inserts to fill in the arch and see if it will straighten out my walking a little. Also, I want to try the knee brace, but I've heard it doesn't work but I might as well try. I am exercising and stretching and hopefully it will go away. I have put my legs together, and when my knees touch, I'd say they are about three to four inches apart. Is that severe? Hopefully the brace and inserts work.

I really hate the way I look and I feel as if, once I think I've fixed something, I turn around and something else is wrong which really upsets me and sometimes makes me cry.

I just want my legs fixed. I hate feeling alone and like I have all of the problems in my family. I feel left out. I used to play soccer until I hyper-extended my right knee and didn't play for a while. I miss it so much but I'm scared that if I play again it would hurt my knees. I don't know what to do. Every time I talk to my parents about it, they say you just have to stretch and that's it. Then they blow it off and won't listen. I just want to be heard, and get my knees fixed, hopefully without surgery.

I am a 46 year old African woman who has learned that knock knees are a really bad thing. However, I grew up being unaware of this, and in fact, I was often complimented for having such a beautiful walk. Just like so many of you out there, I do not wear shorts or anything above the knees in public, but at the same time, I am proud of my legs, these genu valgum(s) that have supported my body and of late, have power walked me out of grief and depression.

Yes, dressing them is a challenge, but nothing compared to some of the life changing events that occur in the course of our lives. I do take glucosamine and chondroitin which is very effective on my knee pain. Otherwise, I try to stay in decent shape and when I walk, I do so in my form fitting capris, with my head held high, grooving to the music in my ear and strutting like the road is my own personal runway.

My advice is to accept your unique condition and to focus on your general physical and emotional health. Find some music that makes you want to dance and imagine yourself at your most confident, then go out there and live. Life is too short my friends!

I'm 19 and have mild knock knees. I'm going to try the night braces to see if I can fix my legs.

It's so annoying. I can't wear jeans and have to be conscious about what trousers I wear.

I'm very good at swimming but am afraid to go back to it because of the way my legs look.

Do night braces work? I'm still growing and I have it mildly so would it work?

I am an African male aged 32 and have knock knees. I never really noticed them until I was about 24, and ever since I find it hard to to think about it every day.

It's really stressful when you have to be so self conscious all the time and wonder what people say about you when they see you walking. I hardly ever wear shorts unless an in the house alone. The last time I went swimming I must have been 14 years old.

I would love to hear from other people going through the same thing.

I am 11 years old and am in fifth grade. I have always been super pretty but then realized I had knock knees that weren't hurting me much but looked bad. I was really slow at running so I had surgery, which really hurt and was hard because I had to use a wheelchair and that was last may!

It is now march 2012 and I am having another knee surgery to take the little plates out they put in my knees earlier, so I am nervous but excited!

I am a 43-yer-old female here. My knees are ugly, lumpy and large compared to other knees I see, and they pop very loudly when flexed.

I was slightly knock-kneed as a child, and my ballet teacher had me do special exercises like rolling my feet outward and walking with my weight evenly on the pads of my feet. By my mid-teen years, my legs were straight. My husband has knock knees, but they don't bother him much. I'm worried about two of our children, though. Our 18-year-old has knock knees and stands with her legs twisted around each other.

We probably should have addressed the problem earlier, but didn't for various reasons. She has no pain, and isn't self-conscious about it. She also has very loose joints all over and can do contortionist-type moves. Our three-year-old is extremely knock-kneed. I will watch to see if she grows out of it, but for now, I'm letting her be. Maybe I will put her in ballet classes.

There is no need to be ashamed of your legs when you still have breath. You are unique and there is nobody else who looks exactly like you, so it is just your legs. Learn to love it and do not let it bother you because there is somebody who loves you regardless of your appearance, and that person is your creator, the Lord God almighty. Just give your life to him and make him your Lord and Savior and everything will be fine. Just try him and you will not regret it. Stay blessed and God bless you all in Jesus name.

Okay, I just turned 37, and I had knock knees obviously all my life. I hated it! I am very petite and in great shape. I hated wearing bathing suits or pants that would show my knees. I would wear skirts and dresses that covered my knees.

One day while searching the net, I came across Hospital for Special Surgery in New York (I live in NY as well). Their website was my answer: Dr. Rozbruch and Dr. Fragomen could take care of my deformity. They use an external fixator that is attached to your femur (femur is broken in order to straighten). You wear the fixator for 12 weeks. I had my both legs done in 2011. My legs are now straight. There is minimal scarring which I could totally deal with and my insurance covered the entire procedure. I think the surgery costs about $16k.

You have to visit their website and see for yourself. They are number 1 for orthopedics. Trust me, you won't regret it. The first week is difficult after the surgery, but it gets better. I still have one fixator on my left leg, I am back at work and doing great. I know how it feels to have your clothes looking weird on.

I am 26 and have knock knees. I used to feel so depressed about it, and for so many years I battled with the self image problem but I have come to accept and love myself as I am and try to look and feel beautiful. I have a husband who adores me and a beautiful baby. What more could I ask for? Being knock kneed has not changed or prevented me from doing anything I really wanted to do.

I have thought of surgery a lot of times but I have decided to live with it and be happy and feel sexy with it.

I'm a 12 year old and I just found out that I had knock knees. I found out when I realized that my shoes were getting ruined by it. My grandma also has it, but she is overweight. I am very skinny, bony, and short. Because I am not overweight, will it still affect me? They don't give me any pain. Does having this cause my knees to be very rough? I don't mind having them, but I'm afraid of surgery. I might get shoe inserts. It's nice to know that other people have this.

I have knock-knees and my thighs touch because of it too! I'm so not confident because of it.

i have terrible knees.. I love seeing females in short pants and i feel bad i can't wear them. the knock knees make me feel really uncomfortable and cause my inner thighs to rub. while i am thankful i have legs, i feel miserable and funny when i walk. how can i fix this without surgery.

I am a 48 year old female. About five years ago a boyfriend mentioned my "knocked knees". I said "What?". I never knew I had this issue, probably because I was mercilessly bullied for being overweight all my life, The bullies never mentioned my knock knees in all the names they called me.

I had (have?) accepted the judgment of the bullies. I'm hideous, so I just thought my knees were just ugly like the rest of me. I have just now achieved a high enough level of self-esteem to work on becoming fit and healthy (never too late, right?), however, I have my third trip to physical rehab to help heal foot and leg injuries. I have flat feet, which I read is common with knock knees (as well as IT Band Syndrome) and developed Plantar Fasciitis. Then I had pain in my right knee last year and rehabbed it. Now similar problem with my left knee and in rehab. This stint of rehab they said you are knock kneed which is likely causing the pain. Being overweight makes it worse. I've lost over 60lbs by working out, however, I keep getting these injuries which basically halt my workouts.

The looks by others no longer bother me, since I learned to expect not only looks but comments. My issue now is that I want (and need) to work out but I have read that the future is not bright for older people with knock knees: arthritis and probable knee replacement or wheelchair and pain, pain pain!

To those in their teens and twenties, please don't give up. I know from experience how mean some people can be, but it really does come down to self-acceptance and love after all is said and done. Please continue to monitor any and all advances in knock knee correction/treatment as you get older and do like I will: pursue your dreams and passions to the best of your ability!

I am a 46 year old female with genu valgum in one leg. I too, find this deformity so debilitating as the years go on. i have started to notice muscle wasting in the thigh and increasing pain when i try to exercise. I would love to try the swimming with flippers exercise but i will not go swimming or wear a costume as i find the thought mortifying. I do not want to wait any longer to have corrective surgery, but funding is a problem. Until then i will try yoga.

I don't even know what to say after reading all these, well am glad am not a one in a million sufferer except that my self esteem and confidence has been trampled on so much that no matter how i try, i just can't stop feeling like an idiot when i walk and the ridiculous shape of my legs in what I am wearing. I just want straight legs!

I'm a 30 year old male and I too, was born with knock knees. My mum took me to a specialist when I was young and she told her that nothing can be done except for maybe try wearing shoe inserts. I wore them for years, and as of this moment my legs only knock knee when I fully straighten them, but when I bend them they look slightly bow legged so when I walk it looks like spaghetti legs.

I don't know if this was because of the inserts I never cared about it when I was young to make a current comparison. Anyway, it's not that bad but I am always self conscious of it.

Another thing I want to add is there are exercises that can be done to help with knock knees. This is the only thing that might be able to help adults without any surgery.

There is a book called "Structural Yoga Therapy" by Mukunda Stiles, who apparently cured his knock knees with this method, but it wasn't easy. Having said that, there has been no evidence of this whatsoever, but people who know him claim that he is a honest yoga teacher who wouldn't lie.

I think the exercise involves the warrior 2 pose mainly and doing it for few hours a day (yes that's right). There are reviews online about this book where you can read about it before you buy it. look it up and good luck to you all with your quests.

P.S. @post 142 requires that metal plates be drilled into the bones.

To everyone who hates the way they walk including me. I learned there's something called Spatial Framing in which they put this device on to straighten the leg out. It takes six to 12 weeks and it's over. Please look at some before and after pictures. It's amazing! I will get mine in March. It really straightens the legs out.

I'm 14, and I too have knock knees (barely). I hate them, but most of the time I don't notice them. At school no one seems to notice. Though I think it's because I'm kind of pigeon toed. I still wear dresses and other sorts, and not bothered much by my knock knees.

Still, I would really appreciate some exercises that would help this problem. Thanks and God bless!

I'm a 14 year old girl, in the last year of my junior high years and when i first started Junior High I was really self-conscious about my knocked knees and as I got more confident about my knees I really didn't care what anybody thinks.

I wear skinny jeans, I play sports. Last year, my physical therapist for my knees and scoliosis, yes I don't have anything straight on my body, told me that he was going to get me into surgery, so that happened a week after my appointment with him, and the surgery went fine, it had straightened my knees a lot but they still look bad. I have severe knocked knees, but eventually I was up and walking perfectly fine after a few weeks of recovery. now I'm supposed to have another major surgery on my knees again.

I get a lot of pain in my knees but I've learned to deal with it. I've also learned to deal with all the looks and whispers i get from everyone who has no idea what I've been through.

I think I found something that might work a little. I'm pretty knock kneed. I measured and my ankles are about four inches apart when my knees are together.

I'm 23, but my knees feel like they're 45. They creak, crack, pop -- lots of sounds that young knees shouldn't make. They also ache sometimes, and feel weak and rickety.

So, as I started taking yoga (to fix my scoliosis. I guess none of my bones grew straight. Ha!), I thought that maybe I should try stretching my knees. I place a hard or very firm object with soft edges between my knees and stand with my ankles further inward-- ultimately, until my legs appear slightly bowed in the mirror. By the time I'm through stretching, usually about 15 minutes, my ankles are only 2.5 inches apart when my knees touch, and my hips feel worked out. And, my knees feel as though they've just done some yoga, nice and roomy in there.

I've only been doing this a couple of days, but I feel like this can help offset the arthritis that I know was coming. My knees really feel much better after this. I'll keep with it, maybe for a few months, and post whether my legs straighten permanently at all.

Now that that's out of the way, I'm a 23 year old, degreed, beautiful, shapely, funny black chick with a hell of a lot of personality. I assure you, you don't have to have low self-esteem over a pair of knees. And men are no problem at all. I wear skinny jeans (although, not too skinny because my thighs are thick-- and the boys love that too). I wear dresses. It's not that big of a deal, I promise you. Peace and love! Oh, and this is really it, grow your relationship with God. It's so easy to let things that don't matter roll off of you when you have something that matters so much in your life.

I am a 33 woman who is slightly knock kneed. I won't say that I hate it but I don't particularly love it either. Being knocked kneed has always reminded of how elephants' walk (their hind legs knock).

Anyhow, I've learned to walk in such a way where my knocked knees aren't quite so obvious. I've never gotten teased but it has been pointed out on a couple occasions by surprised family members who never realized that I had knocked knees. My ex boyfriend actually said "oh snap, I never realized you walk like Gary Coleman". I was utterly embarrassed and humiliated to say the least. Anyway, I'm in a good place now. No corrective braces or surgery required for this girl!

I'm a 17 year old girl and I'm a senior in high school. I get made fun of every day at school because of my knocked knees. I don't think it's a very bad case of it but it's enough that people notice.

I'm not an ugly girl. I'm skinny and petite and I don't have an acne problem or any other problems. It's just my knees. I figure everyone has something wrong with them but why do I get made fun of for mine?

I was hoping that since it's not a severe case there was some kind of exercise or brace I could do or use to make it better?

I have knees I hate, but only because they touch when I stand with my legs together, keeping my feet apart. My thighs rub too, when my legs are together, so I hate them. The only plus is that they are long and tanned. However I tell myself every day they are strong, healthy legs and are pretty. (I use the pretty part, so I won't hide them). What's the point of hiding them in clothes I don't like?

People can make any comments they want in terms of my legs, but ultimately we are the harshest critics of ourselves.

Every night as you go to bed, think of your legs and think of how pretty they are, how healthy they are, how strong they are, how they've loved and served the beautiful body they are carrying and the person inside and then be thankful. Trust me it works.

I'm coming up on my 52nd birthday. I too was visibly knock kneed. A year ago I went through a knee osteotomy to correct the right leg.

Today, I am one week into recovery to correct the left leg. Yes, it was a big decision to go through this. But after seeing the results from the right leg, I knew I had done the right thing especially knowing that had I not done it, I would have been in for knee replacements in the future. In other words, it was a case of "pay now or pay later". I chose to pay now.

I wished I could have had these surgeries 40 years ago as I too went through the childhood brutality of being made fun of, the discrimination of the defect itself, always being on the lookout on what to wear and what not to wear. Thank God everything went well.

So for those of you contemplating the procedure, think about this: six to eight weeks of crutches with the first two or three weeks of no weight, followed by two weeks of half weight/crutches, and two weeks of full weight crutches. I did each leg one year apart. Very small price to pay.

Best of luck to anyone making the decision to proceed with the correction. If I can influence one person to do it, then taking the time to write this post was well worth it.

I am not sure what insurance or payment process you have for surgery. But I recommend anyone with knee problems go see a specialist in the area of orthopedic surgeons. Inserts will not help as much as reconstructive surgery to re-align the knee.

I'm a 40 year old african american male and have had very low self esteem for so long. I think I started to become self conscious when I was around 15 years old.

I always thought especially when I was around a lot of people that people were laughing at me or whispering behind my back. Like a couple of people had mentioned before, people have asked me why I was limping. I tell them that this is just the way that I walk.

I try laugh it off and just say that I am getting old early. I too, have tried to straighten my legs when I walk or try to walk bow-legged. Sad to say that it doesn't work. I look that much goofier.

Each day, whether I'm at the grocery store or just walking in the mall, I'm constantly worrying if someone is looking at the way I walk. I'm so stressed out by the end of the day that it makes no sense whatsoever. I passed up so many opportunities such as being in weddings (my mother in-law), going to family reunions, trying out for sports in high school, etc. I feel like life has just passed me by and will continue to do so.

I also love clothes but have to make sure that they're baggy and loose fitting so my knock knees are not so noticeable. My upper body is in pretty good shape but my legs are like toothpicks. This makes it even more noticeable. Again, like others, I was told to try orthotics and P.T. but still no results. I know that I'm blessed to have legs, period, but I have not been able to stop dwelling on this dreaded issue.

Being a male, it feels so embarrassing to spill my guts like this but it is simply the way that I have always felt and still do til this day. I am interested to hear what other guys have to say as well as other young ladies who have and are still experiencing the same things.

If you have any other suggestions on how to correct this condition, I will be glad to hear from you. Until then, God bless you.

I am in Australia, and have severe knock knees. I am 37 and have had it all my life. my parents ignored my condition, but a teacher insisted that I see a specialist.

I saw a doctor at the royal children's hosp in melbourne who recommended i do nothing. my parents explained to me that it was something i would have to live with. When I was in my 20s I started having problems and i saw a podiatrist who told me that if i don't have orthotics then I will likely be wheelchair bound by the age of 60. I sought a second opinion from another podiatrist who told me I wouldn't be in a wheelchair, however I would have serious walking problems. I got the orthotics and have used them now for 10 years.

Fast forward to now, and I have had my first child, and am having problems. For the last few years everyone I run into asks me why I am limping, and I have to explain that I'm not, its just the way I walk. I get severe arch pain, and regularly 'do' muscles in my knees and feet, which occasionally means I need to use a walking stick for support. I regularly have tight hips, and generally find walking uncomfortable.

And carrying my young son around just makes things worse. And I want to have more kids.

I'm considering having surgery because things are just getting worse.

i am a 17 year old female. and i have been self conscious about my knees ever since middle school. that is when i truly started noticing and comparing myself to other girls' legs. and my self-esteem is too low because of my knees (well one of the reasons) and i been wanting to fix them and have normal legs like everyone else! but it doesn't seem like that is going to happen so i have to live with them. Then i realized i should be truly thankful that i even have legs, but it's hard to apply that thought, and i understand that i cannot look or be like anyone else so i must suck it up and live the life that i always wanted to and not worry about what others think of me or my legs.

I'm 14. I noticed i had knock knees last year. It's not serious and it doesn't hurt yet. I've been told by my physical therapist that if i exercise more, they may go away.

I notice that i had knock knees since i was very young from the old pictures that i have. And i also noticed that my younger brother and sister have it too, but it's very slight and barely noticeable.

I'm scared for them because they got a bit worse when i was 13. I'm going to try doing yoga, exercise more and I'm going to ask my doctor about leg braces or special shoes. This is very stressful to me because i also have to wear a brace for my back because i have slight scoliosis. Hopefully they will be fixed soon. Good luck to all people who have this disorder.

Yeah, let me go ahead and "thank God" for giving me a severely messed up pair of knock knees that have completely thrown off my alignment, giving me severe problems with my kneecaps, hips, and lower back at the young age of 25.

I may be able to walk for now, but without PT or surgery I'll surely end up in a wheelchair. It is impossible for me to see a physician because I'm also uninsured, so maybe I should also "thank God" for the state of America's health care system too?

I am 37 years old and I have knock-knees my son who is five years old has it also. At first it never bothered me because I wore loose clothing but whenever I tried to jog or participate in sports my knee cap would go out of place and now my feet are in severe pain when I walk.

I don't know what to do anymore because it is bothering me and I am now afraid my son will go through this too. Sigh and surgery sounds like I will have to go through with it because it affects me when I sleep with my legs straight my kneecap goes out of place. Anyone with this problem. I know my grandma had it and she just quit walking and used a walker by the time she was 50.

I am also in the same situation and thank God every day that I have the use of my legs. We are not in wheelchairs,so be blessed. Learn to wear things that flatter our bodies.

For everyone thinking about surgery, it is completely unnecessary. It's all about posture.

I m tanzil, 19 years old from bangalore india. i have had a knock knee problem since i was 13 years. i was very fatty but know i control my weight and i am in good shape but my knock knee problem is still the same. i want to know that is it possible to correct them again? if it is possible, then please tell me. i don't want the surgery. if there are any exercises, please, please tell me. waiting for your reply.

i am a 12 year old black girl who lives in jamaica. i always get teased when i do swimming or track and field because i am skinny and it shows greatly. i have severe knock knees.

when i am walking on the road i try to walk like the other children but then my legs just look like sticks. i go to the holy childhood high in half way tree. Are there any exercises or anything i can do because i really have low self esteem. i like to stay at my house and if necessary never leave it.

i have a self esteem of about 10 percent. i will try to live with it but when I'm older I'm going to do surgery and from now on I'm going to start wearing the night brace. Post a remedy please, or some remedies. thank you.

i have knock knees too and am 22 years old! i am going to have surgery in three or four months on my right knee first and left knee later on. i hope everything goes OK although I am scared and at the same time excited to see straight legs. I am also worried about the future in case if i have any side effects from the surgery. if anyone has done surgery please let me know the side effects. thanks.

I'm 14 years old and i ever since i saw a reflection of me walking i have never worn tight jeans or shorts and shirts because of my knock knees..

i thought that they could be fixed by braces and orthotics but i was obviously wrong

and surgery is a big risk that I'm not willing to take especially after hearing dreadful stories about how they ended up making the knees worse.

However, i have some good news for all you people who have been suffering from this crappy problem and are scared of the problems you might encounter in the future caused by knock knees, i found a website which shows some yoga exercises that might help.

good luck everyone and i hope everything works out.

doctor lisa miller of san diego, california is a good doc for this surgery. she specializes in bone lengthening and she uses the same device to correct knocked knees. she did my legs and now they are straight.

i am 15 and am currently in a Ilizarov spacial frame to correct my knocked knees and as of right now, it's great. for once in my life my leg is straight and my other leg will be next. this procedure usually takes three to four months.

My six year old has a prominent inward bend in one leg, and the doc has suggested some physiotherapy yet the situation is not changing. could someone help.

I'm 20 and I just found out that I was knock kneed (through the magic of the internet). I've been sleeping with my legs banded so I can fix it, until I decided to research if that works. Turns out it doesn't, and I've just been forcing myself to be in pain.

I'm only slightly knock kneed, and I never realized that there were people like me out there. People who are self conscious about their legs as much as I am and are always watching other women walk and being jealous of any girl who has normal legs.

I also have shorter legs than others, so you can see why I would really despise my legs.

It seems that this forum is full of people who are willing to do almost anything, but are not extreme enough to go through with the surgery.

Personally, there are so many stories in which surgeries go wrong that I'm afraid I'll try to fix my crooked legs and end up with broken ones.

I wish there was more awareness about this, because it turns out there are many knock kneed people.

If there were people telling others that it's OK to be knock kneed maybe most of us wouldn't feel this way. it's like being a different race, having different features -- it's just different. Although scientifically it can end up hurting us, there's probably more of a chance of all those who are knock kneed to live normal lives.

In any case, I wish there was some sort of miracle product that let me have healthy straight legs, but I think I'm just going to have to cope with what I have now.

Besides, it's not that bad to be honest. I can still walk, and I'm still far more lucky than others. I have legs, I'm healthy and people tell me I look nice often. I have a feeling for me it's just a vanity thing, but everyone needs flaws.

I understand how everyone feels. I hate my knees and appearance in certain clothes. I would like to wear shorter dresses too. My family would make fun at my knees. I am very self conscious. I would give anything to have better looking legs. Reading the other comments it sounds like there is nothing that can be done.

For the lady who's going to see a surgeon, can you please keep us updated on how things go for you?

I am nearly 40 with knock knees. My kneecaps seem misaligned somehow so that my knees are knobbly, not round and smooth like other women, and I have the narrow square hips - not at all feminine. More like a boy.

Hardly a moment has gone by my whole life when I have not been affected by how I feel about my legs. I try to walk 'straight'. I try to dress to cover up what I feel is a deformity and I constantly look at other women to see how their knees and hips are.

Sometimes I think knock-knees can look very sexy on a woman but not mine.

I was mocked mercilessly throughout my childhood, so badly I asked to go to the doctors (who were useless). And even though a lot of people tell me I'm attractive, even beautiful, I feel ugly.

I feel my legs have destroyed my confidence and my life although I am very grateful that I am able to walk as obviously there are many throughout the world who can't.

Thank you also to the model that posted.

I'm 30 years old and I'm extremely knock kneed. I absolutely hate it! There's not a minute i don't think about it. Walking towards a mirror or door that shows your reflection just makes me so sad. I looked crippled and deformed.

I try to walk straight or bowleg lol! It's so embarrassing!

My mom has straight legs and my dad is bowlegged. How in the hell did a straight leg and a bow leg make a knock kneed baby? I must say this though: I currently don't have any problems with my knees as far as pain or anything. I can run, walk long distances with no problems.

Like everyone else i wish there was a way knock knees could be fixed, but I'm not willing to risk walking straight for knee pain and back pain. You will still be unhappy with yourself. I pray that some day there will be a pain free surgery that can straighten our legs. But until then let's take what god gave us and make the best of it!

I'm 46 and have endured my knocked knees far too long! I hate thinking about them all the time -- what I can (and can't) wear in terms of shorts, skinny legged jeans, short skirts, leggings, etc.

I have personally contacted Dr. Dror Paley in Florida, who is evidently a highly successful surgeon who has 20-plus years of experience with complex orthopedic surgeries, including knock knee (genu valgum) correction.

There are two ways to correct: 1) femoral osteotomy, which is "acute" surgery -- they cut the bone and put in metal plates & screws to hold it in the new, straight position, or 2) spatial frame -- a metal "frame" is encased around your leg with multiple metal screws that go into your bone in various places, which takes about six weeks because it is a slow correction, but no plates and screws and less scarring.

I'm planning to see him for a consultation and finally get rid of these obnoxious knees that have impeded me for so long!

I wish all of you the best and I hope for those of you who want correction that you get it done. Wish I had done so years ago. Also, fyi, as you get older, knock knees will always, always result in arthritis -- the joints are aligned improperly and as such are not sustainable this way.

I'm 16 and I've been knock kneed all of my life, even though it technically isn't knock kneed. My doctor told me that I was born with my hips rotated inward, which gives off the appearance of being very knock kneed.

And the braces wouldn't have helped me because I also have something called hypermobility syndrome which makes my joints to flexible to stick in one place.

The only thing I can do is get a major surgery by which they cut the hip bone and reposition it, but my parents won't let me get it.

Anyway, when I was younger I didn't really notice it, but now that I'm a teenager I feel so self conscious about the way I walk. Plus I'm very skinny and they stick out even more. I hope that as I grow older, people won't focus on my knock knees and ill focus on my personality or other parts of me.

But for now, I know I can't really conceal them, but I have found that heels make them look better. And I wear skinny jeans or shorts every day, because I figure that even though I do have knock knees, I have pretty good legs so I might as well flaunt them anyway. Thanks for the inspiring stories, though!

I'm a 42 year old African American woman with knock knees. I was teased mainly by my family while I was growing up and was so self-conscious. I've been watching a lot of West African movies and noticed that a lot of African woman also have knock knees. Not sure why.

I noticed that they walk proud and it doesn't seem to bother them one bit.I've asked many African people who I have met about it and some of them told me that many African men like knock kneed women because they are rumored to have sexual advantages. What? I don't know.

Whatever the case, let your personality be what makes you shine. When you have a heart of sweetness, people will never forget you.

I'm 23 and mildly knock kneed. I have to thank everyone for their comments because I can relate to the issues about clothing and confidence.I never wore skinny jeans until just last year, but believe me, they're much better than straight leg or boot leg jeans. Heels are better than flats, so wear heels as they give the appearance of longer legs.

The more you think about it the more it plays on your mind. In my opinion, forget making knock knees an issue -- if anything, confidence should be our priority.

I've been working on my self esteem and confidence. I can empathize with a majority of teenagers because i went through the same emotional roller coaster while growing up. People who make fun of you aren't worth it. We should be glad to be different.

I am an 18 year old girl with knock knees and have had knock knees all my life. My mother has knock knees but that is only because she is greatly overweight. I love playing sport and love to run, and was always picked on for the way I ran because my legs went out to the side. Also, growing up, my mum put a lot of pressure on me because she has always been overweight so she would tell me I'm getting fat just to make herself feel better, so this has caused a lot of self-consciousness.

My boyfriend sometimes makes a joke about them and I just go with it, but it wasn't until recently I noticed a lot of people have knock knees too. I hate my knees and wish I could have normal knees. I always watch the way people walk and always watch the way I walk. I'm 1.79cm, quite skinny, and because I am quite skinny my knees tend to stick out more. What makes it worse is that my boyfriend's brothers girlfriends are really judgmental.

They are always caking their faces with make-up and wearing their best clothes, but I'm glad I don't have personalities like theirs, also I am a lot prettier than them and don't need make-up but choose to wear it (sorry for being vain but its true).

I know I should try and accept my knock knees but I just want to be normal. Although mine are not as severe as others, I still hate my knees. I always stand with my legs together so that I don't stand funny.

I wish my parents told me so that I could have gotten them fixed earlier. If I wanted to do something about them now it's just trying to find the time to do it.

I just think that I'm lucky because I have a pretty face and a nice figure, however it's just my knees that really get to me. If my boyfriend's brothers' girlfriends want to judge me, I just think to myself that I don't need a ton of make-up to make myself look semi decent, and that takes the self-consciousness away for only a while.

One day I will accept them, being a young adult these days, the girls are very, very judgmental.

I am 32 and have had knock knees all my life. Thankfully when i was younger i didn't notice it, partly because we never owned a long length mirror at our house and i went to a village school where we learned underneath a tree, so definitely no mirrors. So i went through my childhood totally not aware of my knock knees.

My siblings don't have it so i assumed my legs were like theirs. No one mentioned it at home so i truly had no idea! I went to a catholic boarding school where we wore long skirts every day and pants were not allowed.

I only noticed my knock knees when i went to college. I was completely unprepared for it all. They were vicious! They called me 'Y' behind my back. It was all very hurtful.

I however have accepted my condition and have become clever with how i choose my clothes.

1. Short dresses and shorts look better than long pants (i am quite slim though).

2. Never ever wear skinny jeans; they make it worse.

3. Straight leg is the best.

4. Work your knock knees and try and not be too self conscious about it. Confidence is key!

thanks anon74668. Reading this has given me some self confidence in this area. i will now start shopping for the kinds of clothes you recommended because i always buys clothes that are maxi and trousers, too. i never go for shorts. And what amazes me about your story was the fact that you were a model for three years. i am 35 years old. time to start enjoying my legs. thanks once again. i hope it works.

I'm 47 and have been knock kneed all my life. My parents even had me in those braces when i was young but believed that they could not afford further treatment.

When I was in high school, my gym teacher told me I should consider modeling. I told her that I was too ashamed about my knees and would not walk on anyone's runway. What she told me changed the way I felt and walked. So here is my tip to share with other knock-kneed folks out there.

Have you seen the models walk on catwalks? The trick for your legs to appear less knocked is to walk with one foot in front of the other. It will give the appearance of less of knees being knocked together.

So in other words, walk like a model. You can try this in a mirror and walk towards it to see the difference.

The other trick I learned (and yes, I was a model for about three years) is to wear shorts, dresses that either touches at the knees or just slightly below. And wearing 'A' frame dresses moves the eyes away from your hips and knees as well.

You want to bring people's eyes above the waist so wear beautiful jewelry, tops and style your hair.

I hope this helps and I have a bad case of knock knees.

I'm 16 and noticed my knees in elementary school, though I noticed other kids had it and assumed it was just the way some people's bodies were. Though i have noticed in the last year that most other people i go to school with don't have it and those who do are overweight.

Mine isn't a train wreck, but it is rather noticeable, and quite irritating. But it wasn't until about a month ago i realized there was actually a name for it. I've read that surgery is possible, especially if you're still growing.

To make matters worse, there's the fact i also have congenital scoliosis along with a myriad of other physical deformities. Though these deformities aren't very noticeable, especially with clothing, i am very self-conscious about it.

I don't understand why i have to have so many things physically wrong with me, I'm 5 feet tall, weigh 105 pounds, am blond and have an otherwise good self-image of myself.

I exercise and take Tae Kwon Do, and guys don't notice the fact I'm missing ribs and have three thirty degree turns in a my spine, have uneven hip bones and now am knock kneed (the list is much longer). Sometimes it all makes me really depressed, but I usually get over it.

I can't fix a lot about my body and i have accepted those things, i don't want this to just be another one of those things. I want surgery.

My mom scheduled an appointment with my bone doctor, yet the more i read online the less i think he'll help me. Probably just tell me to get over it and there's nothing to be done.

Does anyone know anything about the surgery and what my options might be (I'm willing to even wear a brace. i don't care at this point. lol)

I am 34 and my knock knees are not too bad. I have insteps in my lace-up shoes. My biggest problems are I cannot ride a two-wheel bicycle or swim. As for how I feel about it, well I am one who tells everyone.

It's something I have always thought of as just making me different and if someone does not like that well that's their problem. I do wear trousers in the summer and winter, but in the summer it's mainly because as the tops of my legs rub together. They get hot in the summer and then I get heat spots so trousers are better.

As a child the worst thing was knowing that in a race I would always come last. As an adult the only thing I am noticing is as I get older my knees creak more and much louder.

Wow. I am a 62 year old female, who only thought what I just read. So many of you think the same way I do.

I do not wear shorts, swim suits, short shirts or dresses above my legs because of being self-conscious about my knock knees. I basically wear jeans or long shirts and dresses. I too feel people are looking at my knees when I walk, and I hate it.

My self confidence is way low, but mind you, I have been married to a bowlegged man, so when we walk in together I always think of the word "ox."

Thank you for your warning and you're right. If you want a cure, there will always be someone ready to give it to you.

I mentioned to my doctor about the doctor in ukraine, and he said 'There's your proof right there. If this was a cure, it'd be available all over the nation.'

I also want to tell you all if by any chance you also have one leg longer than the other and you're 30 or older, don't try to correct it with a lift because it'll make it worse. I am, and a relative of mine started using one at age 50, and so i tried it, thinking it'd be better for my back, and now not only am i knock kneed, but my longer leg is worse, my knee comes in and my foot goes out the opposite way.

it looks much freakier than being knock kneed.

just a warning for you all out there! my doctor said i will probably always be this way.

I am 42 years old with knock knees. although I hate it I still look sexy in shorts because i have beautiful legs.

This post's purpose is to open your mind to the risky possibilities and consequences of correcting bowed legs/knocked knees deformations at "Ladisten" Clinic in Ukraine!

The dream of having two straight healthy and painless legs turned to be a long nightmare due to the negligence, malpractice, recklessness and carelessness of this greedy, lying excuse for a doctor from Ukraine.

My life's dream of fixing my severely bowed legs turned into a long nightmare after being operated by the "good hands" of Doctor Vitaliy Veklich.

He is a greedy, reckless and careless doctor who is using a very primitive apparatus that can fix one deformity but at the same time cause many other problems!

If you want to believe in something there will always be someone there that will "help" you to believe.

Being naive and making yourself blind to the true facts won't help you when you'll fall in the wrong doctor's hands!

Letting this doctor operate on your legs could cost you dearly so take some time to read carefully my experience with this clinic in ukraine and also read some other patients' experiences: that their legs were barbarically manipulated by this reckless doctor.

It is crucial that people who consider to be operated in ladisten clinic in Ukraine should read about my experience and other patients from U.S.A whose legs were extremely damaged due to this irresponsible, arrogant doctor.

i started weight training exercises to help mine and they haven't changed at all! my legs feel better because they are stronger, but the doctor told me that the way i walk may always be this way.

If you're really young, under 20 you may have a chance to correct it with proper diagnosis. i too am obsessed with watching other people walk.

I saw a woman who was just slightly knock kneed and i thought i bet nobody else has even noticed it!

before i became aware of it, i was fine. then when it was pointed out to me, i slowly became more and more self conscious of it, sweating like a pig in summer cause i don't want to wear shorts or skirts. it stinks!

It sucks not being able to wear skirts shorts and short sexy dresses. I'm like obsessed with legs, always looking at someone wishing I had their legs or walked like them. I also look at my kids' legs and the way they walk. I swear if there was a surgeon here in the U.S. I would give my right arm to have my knocked knees fixed!

I'm a 28 year old female who's had knock knees my entire life. Apparently, my parents noticed it early and were told by my pediatrician that I had a muscle deformity where my thigh muscle twisted inward and my calf muscle twisted out, giving me knock knees.

Now, 20 something years later, I find out he was wrong, and the constant knee pain and ankle sprains and broken toes could have been avoided.

I understand that I can't be fixed now, and I've learned to adapt to my body (not wearing shorts or clothing that shows my knees, no heels, adjusting my gait when I walk so it's not really noticeable), but my fear is if it is hereditary.

I have four young children all under the age of 9 and I feel like I'm constantly staring at them when they walk, or checking their legs when I get the dressed in the morning.

I want to do everything I can to help avoid this for them, just like my parents had tried to do for me. Good luck guys. It's nice to know I'm not the only one out there.

Okay. I'm 13 and I've had knock knees forever, but just recently did they really start to get to me. Skinny jeans are about the only pants I wear, but I hate wearing them since my knees become more prominently different-looking.

I've been told by my parents to stand a certain way, but it's not exactly comfortable, and sometimes I forget. I really hate having to analyze the way I'm standing every time I want it to appear as though I don't have knock-knees. This problem is excruciatingly aggravating and I want nothing more or less than to just get rid of them already!

It definitely decreases my self-confidence, although I can say I semi-regret reading this article after having looked at all the diagnoses I could have to deal with in later years of life.

I have just seen a doctor about this because even though I've been knock kneed for around 11 years (I'm 21 now) I've never had that much pain in my knees before. They hurt when I'm just walking normal, going down a hill, etc.

My doctor said no physio or anything other than surgery will fix this (you may have a chance if you're still growing). I just want to say go to your doctors. Children, don't ignore it. This time last year i wasn't having any pain in my knees, so get it checked!

Note regarding post #90: If you read this, you may wish to be tested for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. It is a genetic disorder that causes a breakdown of the connective tissues.

There are several types, but one of the most prominent features of this is hypermobility of the joints. Can you bend your fingers back so that the tips are at 90 degree angles backward? I was just given my diagnosis at 40 and wish I had known earlier as I have had trouble with this my whole life.

I am 46 relatively pretty and I've been skinny and knock kneed all my life. Like many here I was ridiculed as a child and am embarrassed as an adult.

I also hide my deformity with certain types of clothes and I hate to catch a glimpse of myself walking toward a store door, ugh.

My best friend is getting married this summer and wants me to be a bridesmaid. The dresses are short. I am completely dreading this event. I also have pain in my knees and will need a knee replacement. I want it now so that I can walk straight, but no doctor will do it yet. I have no more self esteem. It really stinks.

I am 18 years old, have knock knees and I'm very shy about it. I just want to know how much the surgery costs.

#74, I've had the exact same experiences! I'm 20 years old with mild, but definitely noticeable knocked knees. I've been aware of my knees since I was a child because the doctors made a big deal out of how flexible my joints are - my elbows flex past 180, ankles are weak, wrists fold in half, etc, and I'm guessing my knees are a result of this hypermobility or at least didn't 'correct themselves' as everybody always said.

I've always been extremely self conscious over it, I feel like it makes me look disproportionate and bottom heavy.

I've found ways to dress that hide it as much as possible - skirts that hit at the knee work pretty well and pants that have wide, straight legs are my favorites. They don't draw attention to the thigh and knee areas like regular or skinny jeans do.

Despite that, it's always on my mind and feel like people notice, though I think we're our own harshest critics.

I do have pain from my knees quite regularly, I actually just took some Tylenol a few minutes ago. I get both dull achy pains that are constant and sharp stabbing pains when I straighten my knees after bending down for something.

I find that knee braces help to make them feel more stable, but don't think they're practical for everyday and they don't always stop the pain.

I don't have any plans to get surgery because I've heard they're often invasive and aren't necessarily worth it for purely aesthetic reasons.

Personally, I'm going to deal with it internally and learn to like myself the way I am without judging myself too harshly. We all have our faults but we don't need to dwell on them, we're stronger than that.

I'm 32 with knock-knees and I hate it. I have never worn shorts or short skirts.

I live in the US Midwest and I was wondering are there any doctors here that can fix my knees and does insurance cover this problem? There needs to be more info for this problem there are too many people out here with this and there is no information!

I have knock knees and bowlegs. They got worse over the years, and continued until I had knee surgery. It's called a "fulkerson osteomony" I believe. Look it up, it has worked wonders. I'm 21, and I can finally play sports, dance, and take my son to the park. :)

I'm 16 and noticed I had knock knees in elementary school, but it got more noticeable and kind of worse in middle school. Mine aren't real bad, but pretty much noticeable.

I only wear jeans, and like many of you, it has affected my confidence when walking around, always checking if people are looking at me weird.

Although I do wear skinny jeans and eventually stopped worrying about my knees -- until I'm wearing shorts for volleyball or just plain looking at my legs in the mirror (my closet's a whole mirror).

It sucks and I've always wondered to myself, "Oh how great it'd be if I just had straight legs." And since I'm tall for an asian, my mom would say "If you weren't knock kneed, I would sign you up to be a model". Yes, my mom notifies me that I'm knock kneed, because she is too.

We went to the doctors one day to get it checked, X-ray and measuring the degree. He told me that if I were to get nails dug into my knees to stop the growth of a particular bone in my knee, the other side would continue to grow, thus having my knees grow towards the other wanted side.

However, he also told me that since my x-rays of my hand says I'd most likely stop growing at 15, he thinks it wouldn't affect much and would leave a scar (nails!) So I told my mom I didn't want to, and now I deeply regret it because who knows?

I just hope someday there will be a good, easier way to fix our problem! But it's nice to know I'm not the only one!

I am a 32 year old female who has often been told to look just like Lynda Carter who played "Wonder woman" in the 70's. after reading the above comments, I would agree that I don't feel as if my relationship with men has necessarily "suffered" as a result of having knock-knees. However, many jealous and petty people have often ridiculed me through out my life for the way I "walk" or "run", etc.

The way I look at it is, no one has a so-called, "perfect" body, (not even "supermodels)! I admit that I always wished that I could have had completely "straight legs". At the same time, sometimes, I think that it is through our so-called "weaknesses" that we are made stronger.

As far as "what can be done", to correct something like this, I'm not sure. Perhaps surgery really is the only way. But even so, if someone isn't going to be your friend or date you because of a little imperfection like being "knocked kneed", then forget them! You know? That's all I have to say. Besides, most of them are just jealous because my face is 100,000 times prettier than theirs anyway!

(Sorry, not trying to be vain, but it's true). Therefore, I don't let people put me down for being knocked kneed. I can usually shut them up with this point.

I have just recently gone to the doctor about my problem and it was so severe that the are going to make corrections (surgical wise.) he said it is a mediocre surgery with two days in the hospital and some recuperation but 2 1/2 days before my operation i have to limit my sport playing and my major activities (which is really hard for a 12 year old boy).

I'm 16 and I've had knock knees all my life. since i hit the teenage years i had self esteem issues and its really 'knocked' my confidence. for the past two years I've been researching knock knees and read that it can lead to problems later in life, for example arthritis leading to knee replacement.

my step dad has arthritis in his knee and living with him. i see the agony it causes him yet he's too young for a knee replacement. i'm scared that my knees may cause me this problem in the future and am seriously considering surgery! Every time i talk to my mum about it, she brushes it off saying it's not a big deal. to me. it is, and i know the person i could be if i had straight legs.

reading all these comments gives me a little warmth to know I'm not not only one with this condition and it is true that we were made this way for a reason, but however much i tell myself this i know how much happier i'd be with straight legs. surgery? help me please. :)

I am 24 and I have knock knees but I feel it's moderate, not severe as some, however you can definitely tell if I wear a skirt or something above the knee. Also when I run it looks ridiculous and people have mentioned it so I never run for the bus, etc.

I'm really upset that a lot of sites say that there's no exercise out there to help correct this. Surely there must be something to at least lessen the appearance? Sitting cross-legged is really uncomfortable for me so I assumed it was sort of stretching my legs into the 'right' shape (I thought this because it's not painful for other people). I've been making my self sit cross-legged for extended periods until I can't bear the pain any more, but if it's not doing anything then... I'll look like this forever I guess.

outer thigh (outer hip) muscles,, train them,, strengthen your hip external rotator muscles,, loosen your inner thigh muscles,, that will help and you will see the change in 1 month,, best luck all ...

exercise your external hip rotators. there are many muscles in your hips and your outer thighs and their job is to rotate your hip and femur (thigh) outward when walking. i have this knock knee issue and im working on it. good luck everyone.

I hate my knocked knees and am willing to pay anything to have them corrected. Any advice out there?

I have been doing physical therapy for five months. I do walk better, a few people have told me, but i am still pretty knock-kneed. In fact i think since i started they are a little worse. My doctor said that it may take one or two years for it to straighten out, if at all!

I have gotten better about my attitude and i don't feel quite as bad as before. I have worked on my self esteem, seeing that even though i don't like it, i was made this way for a reason, and feeling sorry for myself isn't going to change it.

i know it's hard --I know! but try to just go about your life and not be too concerned with it. Don't think you are nothing but a couple of legs that aren't perfect. you are much more than that.

Appreciate all the good in your life. you are all in my prayers!

Let me just say, i absolutely love my knocked knees. Yes i walk funny, Yes they're weird looking but, they're a part of me, and they make me unique in a sea of straight legged bimbos.

I wear short skirts and shorts. i could care less if someone comments on my legs. if anything they make a great conversation piece. I haven't experienced any health problems. in fact i seem to have fewer knee problems than my peers.

i have read through some of the comments and am kind of confused.When i went to the doctor when i was younger, i was told by the doctor, that it wouldn't negatively affect me in any way. In fact he said that people with knock knees tend to run faster than normal people. Now I feel like a complete idiot for believing him.

So I am 13 and I have a medium case of knock-knees and they say this could mean future arthritis. Can I still get surgery?

It might sound bad but I am so happy to see these comments and to know that there are other people suffering from the same problem. I am a 18 year-old Asian female and I realized that I had knock knees at 13 when I read an article in a fashion magazine about what clothes to wear if you have "o-shape" or "x-shape" legs. Ever since then I hated my legs and have had even lower self-confidence.

I never wear skirts or shorts. In fact, I don't even own any. I just wear loose jeans or pants, even in summer. I don't wear dresses either. When I walk, I always try to rub my lower legs with each other (despite the knees) to make my legs appear more straight; I just feel very self-conscious. And I feel disgusted when I see my silhouette on the ground at night. With my busy life now, I tend not to think about it as much, but when I do remember, it just makes me sad and insecure.

I've never had a boyfriend and given my grossly low self-confidence I will probably never get one. I wish I had straight legs.

I'm 15, and i have mild (but noticeable) knock knees. It hits me so hard and takes such a bad toll on my confidence and self esteem. They turn in and my thighs touch because of it, and it makes my hips look a lot wider than they really are. It makes me look very unproportioned. I'm about 5'2 and weigh about 110, but I look a little bottom heavy in jeans/shorts/skirts because of my knees. I'm always conscience of my legs, it's always always always on my mind. I always think people are looking at them.

I've gotten only a few comments, but I know people see and think in their minds how weird it looks.

I don't want to get surgery, no. My parents say they "don't notice" but of course they do. They only say that because they cannot say "Oh my God. You're right. Gross. You must have corrective surgery ASAP!"

What should I do? Advice? Help? Similar stories..? :(

I am a 13 year old boy and I have knock knees and I play football and run a lot and now my knees are starting to hurt. Can i still get a night brace/surgery or something?

I am a 43 year old female and I've been knock-kneed all my life. I too am always looking to see if anyone is staring at my knees when I'm walking. I work in a hospital and wear scrubs but you can still see them. Some of my co-workers have made comments asking me if I have knee pain. I hate it so much and I can't find anything to wear to hide them. ft

Hi I am a 16 year old girl and I'm knock-kneed. I absolutely hate it! What can I do to make them straight?

Hey guys. Surgery is not that bad. For people still growing look up guided growth.

I am 25 years old. i had once fallen down from stairs when i was 14. because of the knee injury, i had surgery on my left leg.It was a minor operation but due to the pain, my whole body weight was carried on my right leg. I was so much scared to put any weight on the operated left leg so even after the operation my body weight was 80-90 percent on my right leg. Slowly i started noticing that my right leg is knock-kneed while the left is straight. It is really very uncomfortable and painful to walk or run. Is there any exercise to correct it. I was very athletic but now i have lost my self confidence and very depressed as i can't walk for more time. I am sure there should be some way to correct it and not only surgery. Please give me suggestions.

i have knock-knees which has really embarrassed me all my life and made me have a very low self esteem. my mum used to tease me a lot which made it really sad for me. i can't wear the clothes i love to put on. i am very conscious of the way i walk and look at people's faces to see if they are looking at my legs. how i wish it can be corrected now without an operation. can anybody advise me on what to do?

I am an attractive 35 year old female and have it all. I am knock kneed and pigeon toed and i was always made fun of. This one particular end of year party there was someone imitating the whole class and guess who was the joke? i have seen and heard it all. i always overheard people laughing or asking me funny questions about the way i walk. my mother took me to a state hospital when i was 10 and the doctor said it is not a matter of life or death. i am healthy and can ride a bike etc. i don't have any pain though. i also just wear long skirts but people still notice. i have never had a problem getting guys and my husband hardly notices. i have learned to live with it. even now still the odd person will comment on how i walk and i have learned to laugh at myself and not take it seriously. a few years ago someone asked me rudely if my one leg is longer than my other because of the way i walk? i am still conscious of it but i focus my attention on my other very good points.

Linda E Stanley (#14), thanks for the suggestion, I will try that! I am 36, male, and have had knock knees almost my whole life (ankles about four inches apart when knees are fully locked out). I'm slightly overweight, but my legs and knees are very strong, I've trained pretty heavily in the past. I've never been able to use swim fins very well, though, so that could be a sign that those ligaments and muscles are weak. My hamstrings and calves are also very tight; they need constant stretching to be reasonably flexible.

My son is going to be three soon, and I have noticed he is very knock-kneed. Well it straighten out, or get worse? Anyone have a clue?

Hi! i am 18 years old. i think i do have a little knock knees problem. My knees touch a little when i stand straight joining my feet. Is there a chance of getting it corrected without a surgery? Can exercises help me?

I am a 52 year old female. I have had knock-knees all my life. I didn't even realize I had the problem until my mother told me I needed to keep my knees apart when I walk. Before that I thought it was normal to walk with my knees touching. It has never bothered me.

hello. i have been so upset about my knees. i made an appointment with a orthopedic surgeon. he said that surgery wasn't what i needed, but physical therapy. he said that weakness in my thigh muscles are making me depend on other muscles, causing my knees to go in, that spot strengthening them will make my knees go where they should. i would recommend to anyone to make an appointment with a specialist and get diagnosed as to what the real problem is and how to handle it. I am so glad i did.

My name is Brianna, and i've had knock knees since i was a little girl. my mother has it barely but mine is really noticeable and i can't stand my body because of my knees. It seems like wherever i walk guys don't want to even speak to me unless I'm sitting in a chair or on the internet and they don't know me. When I walk one of my knees hops in front of the other one and they're always rubbing together. I want to get surgery so bad but my mama won't let me because she says I look okay but parents have to say that. I get teased about it from my old friends and I try to laugh it off but I can't. I can't wear skinny jeans, bebrmuda shorts, shorts, dresses, or skirts because I can't stand the sight of my legs and how they look. I really want to have knee braces of some treatment to straighten them out. I have *no* self esteem and I feel bloated but i'm not. I wish I could have never had them. Since they make my legs go inward too, my top body looks bigger than my bottom body and it sucks in the little hips i have. God, I just wish I could just make them disappear and get straight legs.

I'm 15 years old and I have broken both my ankles which I think may have contributed to the impending knock knee years to come. Although I have broken my shin areas, as before stated in the article (a cause of knock knees), I began noticing this condition as a child. It has been a real self-esteem hit. I feel uncomfortable standing with others and I usually feel the need to cock one hip so it is not as noticeable. Orthotics in my shoes did not help and arthritis has started in my ankles and knees. I hope when my family can afford something like a surgery, I may have fixed legs! Good luck to all you other fellow knock kneers!!!

i had a friend suggest doing exercise to strenghthen the knees will help. i don't know but im going to try even if it just helped some that would be nice. i will let you know if it helps!

im 13 years old and so fed up with my stupid, ugly knock knees. i've had them all my life, i think. i have been doing dancing(ballet, tap and modern) for 9 years and they get in the way so much. i can't lie on my side with my legs striaght with my feet touching. i have no pain, they just look a bit ugly. im not overweight, in fact i am below average. i hate wearing jeans as they seem to make them look more pronounced. What can I do? all i want is to be able to stand up straight with my feet touching and not having to push on my knees *Help*!

I am a 31 year old young man and artist so being different is my normal. my first experience with being knock kneed was when i was just around 10. my aunt lined me and my cousin side by side and turned us around, she laughed and just said OK. i never thought anything of it again?

i was a skateboarder for years and always enjoyed running climbing trees & gymnastics at school. i was even declared one the best gymnasts in class no trouble with agility. one year at school not too long after my first experience with my aunt, after a long day in gym class i was wearing spandex bike shorts i thought were cool lol. some kid in a group of others came up to me and said whats wrong with your knees, it was an instant complex, but know i'm proud of who i am and still don't have any pain. look at it this way, no pain don't worry.

don't let people treat you second rate just for being different. there is a whole bunch more of us who accept you for you than there are those who you need not waste your time worrying about!

love kit.

I am a 60 year old female. Within the last year i have noticed my right knee is turning in and touching my left knee when standing. My leg between my knee and ankle hurts when i walk or stand for awhile. Is there any exercise or something i can do to fix this? I don`t have insurance and don`t want surgery anyway.

I know I shouldn't let this affect my self-esteem, but I do. I know it's just natural for people to look at something unusual. It doesn't mean they are making a judgment. But I can't help to think I'd be less introverted if I didn't have this. I will sit and let other people leave first, feel like if i'm getting to know someone and they see me walk, it will affect what they think of me. I know that if I feel good about myself it won't be as big a deal. I'm Trying!

Hello. I'm a 20 soon to be 21 year old african american female and i have knock knees pretty bad. My feet are also flat and i feel as though that just makes things worse for me. Back in 2002 my freshman year of high school, i suffered a serious injury to my left knee simply from just walking! I do not know about anyone else but my knees always gave away as a child and it continued as i got older and during my accident that's exactly what happened but i was so used to it happening i just walked it off. Low and behold i ended up *dragging* my leg around because i could put 0 weight onto it and that's when my knee doctor told me it was dislocated. Ever since then i've attended therapy 5 different times over the years. It would seem to fix my issues but only temporary. I wish i could just do therapy everyday but it's expensive. i was told if i receive another dislocation that i must get surgery but i'm so afraid of getting it however i'm desperate. I'm also a little heavy set. I'm 5'1 and weighing 170 some odd pounds and i was also told that's a disadvantage. Hopefully someday soon i can find a permanent solution. I do not however go through self esteem issues with my legs. My thighs are thick so it sorta distracts from the knock kneed look. But i *hate* walking! My feet always hurt and i always fear my knees will give out because they do at any given moment. I've even fallen on stairs due to the giving out.

I hope and pray i find the answer soon because it's not getting better. Thought i would share.

I'm 23 female, will be 24 in a months time and i have had knock knees since high school. they have gradually got worse with age. my left leg seems to be the affected one and is bent. my right leg seems straight but recently i fear that it is also starting to bend inwards.

i have had people stare at me in the street and had university mates also comment on them and making fun of my leg which was really hurtful. even my brother has made nasty comments about my condition which often makes me cry.

I have been with my boyfriend for a year and a half and he has not commented on it once. i think he knows that i walk funny. i'm too scared to tell him i have this condition as with family and anyone else. it really breaks my confidence although i am very beautiful i feel that this stops me from being who i really am and wearing skinny jeans like all other girls do.

i would love to correct this but i am at the age where my career is very important to me and having a surgical procedure makes me feel i would never be able to continue with my career like i am doing so at the moment. I absolutely hate this condition and have wished myself dead. that's how much it has affected me and am too scared to go for surgery.

i wish there was a simpler option. i know there isn't. i am glad to find that there are other people like myself and i just wish we all never had this condition.

thank you all for your comments! reading them helped me a lot! more than you know. my mom is also knock kneed, although she's not really aware of it, which i wish i was now! she said 'i walk slow but not weird' OK my brother said i walk just like her, and when i watch her walk i think 'oh gosh!' but until we can all get operations, we have to accept ourselves.

when i watch someone with a limp walk proudly, i feel good for them, but when i see one who walks like poor me, i feel sorry for them. it's hard but i try to walk proud!

i am 45. my knees are turning more inward, i have torn cartilage and pain but gluocosamine pills really help with that. i would *jump* at the chance to have surgery to correct it. it would be amazing to walk straight. i wouldn't care if i was in pain afterward.

i would recommend occupying your mind as you walk. i think of the song 'hold your head up'. i try to smile while i walk, and a lot of people nowadays have i-pods, cd players or walkmans. keeping your mind off of it helps a lot. i also want to say to my family here, walk proud!

it makes it hard for me to go out the door sometimes like i have to 'slay that dragon' once again. i, too look in peoples eyes to see if they're looking at my knees, but i'm trying not to because what if they are looking? if i see a crowd of people up the road, i get really self conscious that they are going to see me and i wish i was wearing a long dark thick skirt!

i wasn't really aware of it until about 10 years ago when a relative yelled out while i was walking, wearing shorts, "your knock kneed!" since then i have been really aware of it, and it has gotten worse over time.

i have been knock kneed my whole life.

I'm a 19 year old girl from India and I've had knock knees for as long as I can remember but I never found it to be a problem. I mean people do sometimes tell me that I walk weird but I just tell them, "yeah, I know..." and tell them why in case they ask... It doesn't really bother me that I have this problem. I can walk and run and stuff without problems, I don't know what's going to happen when I'm old though.

I had corrective shoes when I was a kid but they didn't really work. I don't think I've ever concerned myself with how my knock knees affect my social life in anyway because if there are people out there who want to make fun of the way I walk, I wouldn't want know them anyway!

I am 17 and have knock knees. I don't think we noticed it until I was in middle school. My parents thought it was no big deal and so did my doctor, because apparently they were supposed to fix the problem themselves. Well, that never happened.

I don't have walking problems, I guess I just worked out a way to walk. I walk with my feet pointed out so that my knees will be straight. I have had knee pain, but not enough to get it checked out. But now that my sister went to a foot doctor and my mom talked about my issues with the doctor, I'm going to visit. We looked it up and most of the sites told us that if it wasn't fixed I am destined for arthritis and knee replacement at an earlier age.

For some reason this has never been a self-esteem issue, I actually thought it was cool that they did that.

I'm a 16 year old girl and according to this website I have severe knock knees. I started noticing my knock knees a couple of years ago but I think I must have always had them but never really noticed.

My mum has knock knees so I suppose mine are inherited. I'm under-confident anyway and my knees are making me even less confident, especially around guys. Please help, what can I do? Is there an alternative to surgery? Please help!

I am 13 and I think I have it because both of my knees go inwards, my right more than left and ache after walking for long distances. Two of my aunts have it and were not seen to.

I have always been ashamed of it, but am scared of operations so don't want to tell anyone.

I am a 25yr old female with Knocked knees. I have always had this problem, and when I was younger I was constantly falling. I still have balance problems, but I never was made fun of or had a complex about it until I heard a co-worker of mine was making fun of the way I walk behind my back.

I find myself to be very pretty. I never had a problem getting men and my friends never said a thing about it if they even noticed, but this co-worker has messed up my mind. Everywhere I go I'm watching people stare down at my knees. I still wear skinny jeans because a part of me wants not to care, but the other part is eating me alive! I have already had to deal with surgery for scoliosis and am not sure I would want to pursue surgery for my knees, but my knees look gross and I can't help but to watch myself walk towards the mirror in disgust at night.

I'm a 20 year old African American girl and I have knock-knees. I feel like I'm the only one I ever see with this condition which makes me feel super self-conscious. Everyone at the college I go to looks really good. They are thin and able to wear shorts and things like that.

I hate that I have to worry about what I wear because I love clothes and I want to wear what looks best. I also hate that how I can't do whatever I want to do like go on long walks or walk on the treadmill because it hurts. I don't want to get surgery because the concept terrifies me. But I feel like I'm always going to be down because of this condition. I have other issues which make me self-conscious and this is something that I feel I can't change no matter what I do. I'm a happy person, but I'm disheartened by this and I just know its going to get worse. I don't know what to do. I just don't.

I'm so glad there's a board like this! I've been searching forever for some input from other genu valgum sufferers like me. I've been to the doctors so many times for this problem in the past (I'm a 21 year old female), only to have them brush it off and not address the problem or to refer me to a specialist who seemingly also has no idea what they're doing.

I don't know if my condition is worsening or if I'm just becoming more aware of it, but my legs often tire quickly after walking long distances - and I've lived in NYC for a couple of years which was sometimes torture!

My knees are also bent at different angles - one is slightly more severe than the other, making one leg stronger and causing a slight limp/awkward gait. I'm very clumsy and have terrible balance due to this.

Does anyone have a similar problem? Does anyone know of surgical procedures that aren't merely cosmetic? I don't want to be in a wheelchair by the time I'm 40!!

I am a 32 year old african american female and I have knock knees. I have been teased before in my early years and it bothered me. Even if someone mentions it- if they happens to notice- it bothers me. I am tall and I love wearing long skirts. The only skirts I would wear is right below the knee to hid my knees. I don't wear skinny jeans either because I don't like my knees. I always watch what I wear. I am a beautiful woman, but I wish I didn't have this flaw. I inherited it from my mom and aunts. It is crazy because my uncles- their brothers all have slightly bowlegs. I was like how did that happen? I wish our legs can be like that too.

God, this problem takes it's toll on me everyday. i constantly have to think twice on the clothes to wear to hide my knock knees and the stares and secret laughs turns my heart. i really cannot take this type of humiliation anymore.

i'm 24 and went on a ski holiday a few months ago. a few nasty falls and bending my legs in really stupid ways and suffering knee pain since. i saw a specialist today who told me i have bent knees. she said i'd be prone to injury and she's booked me in for podietry, physio and an mri.

i was fine with this, and now i'm actually really upset. i've always had people make fun of the way i walk and always come last in a race and frequently sprain my ankles when i run. i could never work out what i was doing wrong! i guess now its just nice to know!

i'm 21yo i have knocked knees and it does get me down. i've started to stand funny where i'm trying to stand straight so it isn't so noticeable. i'm going on holiday with my boyfriend and i'm anxious to get in a bikini in front of him. i know he loves me but i'm still very self conscious of my knees!!

im 18 and im a male and i wear skinny jeans and have knocked knees and they sometimes look weird and get teased about it by some people but to me i really don't care because im just confident...i look great and im a nice person so if that's all they can say to me to hurt me i let them and i think everyone should think that way!

think of all the positive things about yourself instead of just being knee-knocked.

Hey NOW!! I am a 28 yo woman.. It used to bother me being knocked-Kneed but eventually I got over it.. We are really the ones who notice it and if anyone dare tease you because of it that speaks volumes about them.. To the youngsters out there please don't allow this to diminish your confidence. Love you for who you are and the rest of the world will follow suit! And if they don't SCREW them..and to the young ladies, lemme tell you, I have never had an issue with the fellas because of this.

I am fierce regardless. We all have "flaws" or things about our bodies we don't like those we can reasonably change, change, but this we just need to accept... To all my Knocked-Kneed family out there stand strong and proud...

i am a male 22 years old. i have knocked knees. you know man it sucks when i see myself walking in the front of mirror. i have to think twice or thrice every time when i have to buy a pair of jeans for myself. i really want to get rid off this problem. i can't buy everything. but i felt little warmth after reading this article that i am not the only one there are people like me. life has to go on and so do we so if there is any kind of help please write here or otherwise we have to go on no matter because god don't give us everything we want, life is for compromises we should learn to compromise.

hi, this is shovik from india. i am an asian, 5 years old. both my knees do touch when i stand straight but at the same time my ankles also do touch. i have played extensive football and i've no problem regarding playing, walking, running etc. now, only because of my knees do touch, can it be called a knee-knock or knocking knee? if it is, then can it be medically corrected? waiting for your reply. thanks in advance........

I am 19 years old, and I am a victim of this terrible disease as well. All of my life, I have been made fun of. I am really, really smart, and I am very beautiful. However, that one flaw makes me vulnerable to harsh comments and ugly names. People can't call me dumb or ugly, so they just call me "bad-built up." Yes, that is what they call me. It doesn't matter if I am alone or with a large group of people, this is the name that I hear all of the time. And I know that this is the reason why people don't tend to hang around me as much. I get tired of being talked about and put down. I am really over the harsh comments and ugly names, but it still hurts to know that I am being judged by the way that I walk. I know that the surgery will probably be painful, but I must say that it won't be as painful as the pain that I endure everyday ..........

My daughter is 9 years old. Every since she was about 3 she has sat in what I call a W shape on the floor. It just seemed more comfortable for her. Gradually I noticed that her knees were swayed inward. When she walks its like her legs just swing outwards and its really evident when she runs. She has a really hard time getting into our jeep. To lift her leg high, her joints seem really tight -like they are unstretchable. I notice it a lot and now her friends are noticing it and kids can be mean at times. I want to do something now that she is still growing. I'm not saying that letting her sit in that W shape contributed to her knocked knees but who knows???

I'm 45 and have knock knees and it is SO frustrating. As a woman, what you wear and how you look is a huge part of your identity, so being limited to always trying to camouflage your knees is a constant source of grief. AND, a painful reminder that you don't look "normal" like everyone else does. I actually notice people's knees now wherever I go, always wishing the good ones were mine. I say RUN to the nearest place to get them fixed, as long as the "fix" doesn't end up creating more problems. Also, does anyone know a place in the U.S. that corrects adult knock knees -- Dr. Veklich at Ladisten sounds phenomenal, but the Ukraine is a really long way to travel if you don't have to!

im 13, and i got knock knees and it bothers me a lot. my parents don't think it is a big deal but it makes me feel weird. i just want it fixed, but i don't want the consequences of surgery when i get older. is there an easier way to get it fixed since im still growing?

to Anon8895 The board you are talking about... Is it a normal Kick board?

I'm 14 and I play running back for Varsity football. I'm fast but everyone says I run very weird and it looks really funny. I have a lot of pain in my knees but all my doctor told me was to take advil. But I did notice my knees were inward a lot. I looked it up and found out I have knocked knees and this was the cause of pain and why I run weird. I don't think my parents would allow me to do surgery but I want to fix it so I can run normal and faster for High School football. I really need another option for fixing it.

I am 47 years old with knock knees, and let me tell you that it's hard work to not worry what other people are thinking when they see your legs. I hide my legs as I also am too self-conscious, and am so sick of thinking about what I can wear so that it minimizes the knock kneed look. After having been teased a little and rejected by boys in my earlier years, it took a toll on my self esteem. I have always hated my legs and their appearance regardless of what others think. Living in a very materialistic world makes it even harder too ignore.

I am seriously considering having them corrected by Dr Veklich, and reclaim some of my lost youth back. Has anyone had the correction done and be able to give feedback?

i have knocked knees too ..it is frustrating because i play soccer, and since i run pretty fast, my knees get in the way, and i trip and fall, and most of the time, i hurt myself,

pretty bad. so i'm hoping to get surgery before i'm done in high school, so i don't have to worry about this later on in life.

i am 22, female, african american and i am very knocked kneed, my legs are very close at the top (my thighs) and from the knees down they are apart. i really hate this and i feel embarrassed when i walk especially with someone behind me. i don't wear shorts, capris or skirts. the problem hasn't been painful but sometimes i wonder if it would become an issue later in my life. hopefully i'm not too old to grow out of it because i definitely won't be getting surgery because i'm still a very beautiful person inside and out and i won't let this ruin my self esteem or confidence and neither should any of you guys.. and i am very very knocked kneed its horrible.. keep ya head up and ya confidence too!

i'm 17 and i totally feel the exact same way....not too long ago was when i had to correct my walk because of being pigeon-toed and knockneed.... i mean i learned how to have my feet pointing outward but i still have that appearance where my knees are still pointing inward...and to be quite honest it's so frustrating because it's true.... you do have that insecurity that when you walk that maybe people are staring at your knees...i just want straight legs so that i can feel confident walking in a skirt or even wearing skinny jeans... i know that if you're obese it worsens the appearance but what happens if you try to tone your legs will the appearance become less.... i mean if all it takes is just exercise then ill do it but surgery...from what i read from the think twice comment i'm a little scared....but for all the women and men who feel insecure because of their knock knees try not to let if bum your day or get in the way of ruining your chances of getting with some chick or dude...if you know you're beautiful or handsome inside out and someone just can't see that..maybe you just need to like somebody else...=] that's what i do...but if anyone has any suggestions about this..please reply..thanks=]

Hi Im Elizabeth and Im 15. I have always been so embarrassed by it. Like when I walk down the hall way I have to twist and turn my body to walk and people are like why do you walk so dang weird? I'm too embarrassed to tell them. Just recently we were at tennis practice and two of what I thought were my friends demonstrated how I walked for everyone. I was so embarrassed and mad. Im so not the one to cry because I have been through A LOT and I just broke down. I am really athletic I cheer I play tennis, run track and I do gymnastics and Im going to play volleyball this year and me having knocked-knees really hurts my knees and my back. When I tumble for cheerleading I always have stupid bruises. I was a two time state champion pole vaulter and I set the state record twice as a middle schooler and I still hold it but I recently gave it up because running hurts me soo bad. I love running but I get to the point where I don't even want to. But to top it all off my Dad thinks Im just being needy he thinks I will grow out of it.

I really would like to get surgery or braces or something. Does anyone know what I can tell my dad to convince him?

Hi! I'm 26 years of age and didn't even realize till today that I'm knock-kneed. My legs were always bent inwards at the knee, but I didn't realize it was that bad. After reading the posts above, I could relate to so many of the problems that others have stated. I have injured my ankles a million times and keep bumping into things. Surprisingly, my knees have never hampered my salsa... in fact I've been told that I dance, as well as walk beautifully. But wearing skirts and tights is a total no-no for me, since the shape of the legs becomes quite obvious. Is there any other treatment, besides surgery that can be used at this age? It would be nice if any medic out there could air his opinion. Thanks!

Prerna

my son is 6 years old and has been having knee pain for a couple of years. 2 years ago they did x-rays of his knees and said they looked fine. today his doctor told me he has knock knees. is this what has been causing his pain?

I am 24 years old, and have recently discovered i have knocked knees. I say only recently because my friends noticed at work before i knew there was a problem. I used to wear skinny jeans all the time, but now i hate them because of my legs. my friends tell me its not a big deal. The thing is before i knew there was something abnormal i wore what i wanted and i never got people staring at me and i was confident, it was only when i realized that my legs were different that i became more aware of the problem. so really, i might just go out tomorrow and forget about my legs and get the skinny jeans out again! I personally would love straight legs, but i have a busy life so to be honest i don\'t think i could deal with the whole healing process.

For the younger girls who think they won't get boyfriends, honestly your legs have nothing to do with it, its your confidence, if you think there is a problem they will and as you get older you won't give a crap about others!!

I have something called multipul epiphiseal dysplasia, which was inherited from my mother. I had an operation for perthes when i was 12 and even so have always suffered from knock knees. In october of last year i had to have a total right hip replacement, during the operation they also had to cut the femur in half and twist it round as the femur bowed and would have pulled the hip back out. Since having the operation i have been unable to walk with out crutches as the operation seems to have affected my right knock knee greatly. I have been told I will need to have this leg straightened in order for me to be able to walk again. I am 33 and a single mother of a 12 year old and am worried about what the operation would entail and how long i would be out of action for. i would be grateful if someone could explain the basics for me please.

Yes Doctor Veklich from the Ukraine does perform that kind of surgery. I came across his website and am really considering having surgery. I am 17 years old and have knock knees. I really hate it! It doesn't really give me any physical pain but it is so embarrassing and really reduces my confidence. I feel so ugly and unattractive because of it. And also, now i'm at the age where most people start dating and I feel that my knock knees are really something which will turn guys off of me. I really would love my legs to be made straight, but is it worth having surgery? I guess you could say it would be purely for cosmetic reasons. Do you know what the chances are of any complications ensuing? At the moment, I am quite an active person but will i still be able to be as active as i am now after the surgery? I'm so confused at the moment, and just don't know whether to have the surgery or not. I want straight legs but at the same time i don't want to be in pain. Please help me! What should i do?

Knock knees (genu valgum) is a more problem than bow legs (genu varum). There are only a few doctors who could help to resolve the problem. I heard Doctor Veklich in Ukraine, Kiev

can perform this kind of surgery.

Well, I have an idea for all of you. I hope it works as good for you as it did for me. I am 42 and had knock knees all my life. I was always made fun of and people said it looked like I walked with a corn cob up my butt. I remember wearing braces and weird "Little House on the Prairie" shoes at night with a board in between my feet that forced my toes outward (yeah, really comfortable). Anyway, even after seeing many doctors, I think I finally found the solution - completely by accident! I was a swimmer in high school, and I have been trying to get back into shape after having my babies. I bought some flippers/fins for swimming, and I would go to the pool and grab one of those boards and put my flippers on. I would glide through the lap lane, forcing my legs up and down as fast and as big as I could (feel the burn!). Then, I would put the board away and do the same thing on my back, pushing as hard as I could (don't forget to put a hand back over your head so you don't hit the end of the pool). It's got to be as hard as you can and it has to be big strokes! What this does, besides a great workout for your thighs, is that it strengthens all those muscles and ligaments around the patella; particularly on the inside, where it is weakest. When I was in physical therapy for my knees, I remember how they showed me that the patella was loose, it moved back and forth, and that is why I was knock kneed and had knee problems. This exercise corrects it! Your knees are soooo strong, and the patella does not move anymore! Takes about 30 days or so, if once or twice a week, 20-30 minutes on each side. Give it a shot! LindaEStanley

I have knock knees, but only my right leg turns outward below the knee. It's not really noticeable when I wear pants, but I'm very self conscious in swimsuits, shorts, or skirts. Often, I find myself placing all my weight on my left foot and standing with my right leg and foot facing outward so that no one can tell...and I know this can't be good for my left leg to do all of the supporting in those instances. I'm 24 years old, so I'm wondering what can really be done now. I've also sprained my right ankle 12 times (literally), and I think this may be because of my knock knees. What can be done as an adult???

I'm 16 and have had knock knees since I was really little. I'm going to go to the doctors about it soon though because it's really taken its toll on my confidence levels. I'd rather deal with the consequences of surgery than stay like this forever.

I'm 17 and have knocked knees. My friends have pointed out a few times that I walk a bit strangely, so it's really discouraging and embarrassing. I feel really self conscious when I walk in public, or when walking up to someone, so this has made me extremely self conscious for years. Sometimes I also experience pain in my knees when climbing stairs.

Corrective surgery terrifies me, but I've read that orthotics usually can't fix knocked knees. Is this true? Is it still worth trying? Will I outgrow this, and if so, what can I do to speed up the process? I want to see a doctor about this, but like the person a few posts above me, my parents don't think it's a big deal.

im 15 and have knocked knees man it sucks can anyone tell me if there is a place i can get treatment? some times my knees pain me i just want to be normal

I was wondering if there are any support groups for this issue?

I'm 14 an have knocked knees its so embarrassing. I told my mom and asked her to let me see a doctor but she says i walk fine but i know i don't because people in school always notice it.

Hi, I´m 30 years old and I´ve been suffering from knock knees since my late childhood.

I´m embarrassed when people see me walking too, and I think it´s getting worse year by year ...

I work out a lot, everyday, and I still don´t feel pain, but, Am I going to be like this forever?

Hi I am a 42 year old female that has been knock knee all my life. I want the corrective surgery no matter what pain it entails. I'm tired of living with this condition that has made a spectacle of me since childhood. I wore the braces for year and they did not correct my knees. Today I'm embarrassed for people to see me walk. My husband is constantly making sure I don't fall over things. I walk with my head up and never look where I am going because I want to look proud, yet inside I just want people to stop staring. Can someone my age have the corrective surgery?

PLEASE THINK TWICE! I had correcitve surgery when I was fifteen to fix my knock knees. During the surgery they cut completely through both of my femurs and re-aligned my legs. Although my legs are straight I am in pain daily. I am 22 and have very advanced arthritis in both knees. The right leg is worse b/c it got infected inside the cast as it was healing. When they changed the allignment of my legs it messed with my hips, back and ankles. I see a chiropractor every week. There isn't a day that goes by that I think maybe it was a mistake to have the surgery. I cannot play soccer anymore, I can't run because it's too painful. And to put the icing on the cake I was told today that I should expect to have knee replacement surgery by the age of 35. I'm a woman and I would like to have children but I'm not even sure how my knees will handle the extra weight. I know not everyone has these results, but I urge anyone who is considering the surgery to think twice, even three times.

My mother had knock knees when she was younger about my age, 19, and doesn't have them anymore. I have them now and they really bother me(appearance wise) but my mother claims they won't be there forever. Is she right? Even at my age, can I still grow out of them?

I am 16 years old and i have knock knees. Right now i don't feel any pain and I don't have any difficulties, I don't play sports. I want to know if my condition is going to get worse specially that I am in a country where its very hard to get treatment.

That sounds like Compartment Syndrome. It is mostly found in runners but in also those with knock knees. The correction is minor surgery; a small incision is made in the casing surrounding the muscles in the lower legs. To ascertain whether or not you have Compartment Syndrome, a nearly painless pressure test is performed to measure the pressure existent in those muscles.

I am 41 years old an have knock knees - have always been this way. As of late I am having trouble with the muscles in my lower legs when I walk distances. The muscles above my ankle bone, on the outside of the leg, cramp severely. I have purchased a good walking shoe and still the pain persists. Could this be a result of the knock knees? are there any remedies I can use (exercises, implants)?