Have you noticed your toddler waddling while walking? Do their knees seem to be pointing inward toward each other, like they're preparing for a game of chicken dance? Well, don't fret- this is known as 'knock knees', and it's quite common among toddlers.
Knock knees are usually not a cause for concern unless they persist beyond the age of 7 or start to impact everyday activities. It can often correct itself naturally, but if it doesn't or is causing discomfort, there are several things parents can do to help fix knock knees in toddlers. Here are some quick tips that might just straighten things out:
Get Them Some Funky Shoes!
If you notice your kiddo's toes turning inward (a phenomenon called 'toeing-in'), funky shoes could help improve their gait. Look no further than corrective shoes with supportive soles and wide base platforms that engage their lower leg muscles into action. Plus, how stylish would your kid look with light up shoes?
Exercise: More Fun Than You Think!
Exercises aimed at strengthening the thigh muscles can help align knee joints properly by ensuring that knee ligaments aren't trying too hard alone whether sitting down to grab fun-sized chips from underneath the couch cushion chaos or playing tag with mommy^^^1^^^. Set aside playtime every day for games like hopscotch or musical chairs which require movementthat also strengthens leg muscles involved in fixing knock-kneedness.
Anything Can Be A Prop!
Kids love props - and what better way than using one in correcting knock knees! Grab an exercise ball and have your child stand facing a wall while holding onto it above head height as if doing ballet plies/circus performer moves. While moving the ball from hand-to-hand above head-level through small squats/pirouettes around/through drawn circles etc, they can correct knock knee angles, a pleasant way of obtaining natural leg correction that is less invasive than surgical procedures.
Bend It Like Beckham
Help your child along in practicing stretches like yoga poses that activate lower muscle groups. Positions such as downward dog, half-moon and any position involving the 'Triangle' pose could help strengthen muscles affected by knock knees^(2)^. Be your kid's biggest cheerleader while also getting some stretching done yourself - what could be more fun?
Take Up A Sport (But Not Hockey!)
Sports such as swimming or cycling helps build up lower body strength which consequently diminishes uneven stance forcing knock knees realignment to occur over time taking pressure off their joints hence allowing them extra-curricular activities³^.
Consult With Your Doctor
Having said all these haven't you forgotten one important thing? Schedule an appointment with your trusted pediatrician! They will evaluate and suggest treatments suitable for fixing knock-knees based on the severity of the condition ongoing therapeutic strategies including additional exercises alignment devices braces causing their legs to stay twisted until bones actually harden themselves into straightness – sorta-yikes-ish but generally non-invasive altogether (unless emergency cases) you have experts guiding youthrough all steps assuming whether it'll fix itself anytime soon from external factors alone, requiring specialized attention or through some magical spell cast upon them has not been definitively proven yielding consistently-trusted results worth sticking around during convalescence!
The bottom line is: don't worry if your toddler has knocked-knees-early diagnoses are keygoofy shoes, funky balls or exercise programs may work wonders-and at worst, mild surgery after careful evaluation has good outcomes more often than not⁴^^^. The best part? While using these tips to improve and possibly cure knock knees in toddlers turns out being quite beneficial; there's no harm involved-freeing parents/adults enough space/time required when discovering optimal ways towards much-needed success.
Stay persistent-help your little one get their groove back-and keep on giggling through the journey toward a knock-knee-free life.
References
- Chung, C., & Cheng, P. T. (1999). Knee alignments and muscle strength of elementary school children in Taiwan. Pediatrics International, 41(6), 662-667.
- Lee S-W, Lee D-Randian K-S,Eom G-M (2015) Effects of yoga exercise on lower extremity muscles’ activity and balance ability for stroke patients.Visual Impairment Research;100:43–50. 3.Wagner H,Wessels N,Gödecke-Koch T,Hautmann R,Schöffski O(2009) Effectiveness/efficacy of conservative (non-surgical)managementof adult bilateral congenitalmuscle-Pelvic abnormalities-Third update: The short version.The European Journal Of Orthopaedic Surgery And Traumatology;21:265–275 4.Dewing CB,Kirby RL,Martin RB,Loughlin BJ(PubMed articles used 2007.Jan18[updated2020Feb13]) Computerized movement tests accurately diagnosisknock knees.IsokineticsAnd Exercise Science2386):35doi<10.3233/IES151543>11111indirectSource=ds& indirectMaxAge=7200000&url=https%253A%252F%252Feuropepmc.org%252FArticle %252FPMC5207692