Question
At the age of two, the child was diagnosed with O-shaped legs at a maternal and child health center. The main symptoms are that when running or walking, the feet are slightly turned outwards, and there is a significant gap between the knees when the feet are brought together. The doctor recommended wearing an orthotic device for correction, but it hasn’t been tried yet. Will the condition improve on its own as the child grows older?
Answer
Based on your clinical diagnosis information, from the moment of birth, due to the influence of the fetal position before birth, if rickets occurs again during infancy, it can lead to “X” or “O” shaped legs. At this point, treatment is required. Generally speaking, babies will show slight O-shaped legs from birth to one year old, which is due to genu varum. By one to two years old, they will gradually change to genu valgum and gradually correct themselves, which is a normal phenomenon. However, severe O-shaped legs may require specialized orthotic devices or surgical treatment.