What is the difference between bowlegs and rickets, What are their symptoms, causes, and effective treatments, Bowlegs are a physical condition in which the legs bow outward at the knees.
Rickets is a disease that causes soft and weak bones due to a deficiency of vitamin D or calcium in the body. Rickets is one of the possible causes of bowlegs. We will learn about the difference between them in the rest of the article.
What is bowlegs
Bowlegs are a curved or bowed condition in the legs, resulting in a gap between the knees when the feet are brought together.
Bowlegs are a common problem that can affect people of all ages, from infants to adults.
What is rickets
Rickets is a disease that affects children during the growing stage and causes soft and brittle bones due to a deficiency of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphate in the body.
It can lead to bone deformities such as muscle and bone pain, bowed legs, and an increased risk of fractures.
Symptoms of Bowed Legs and Rickets
Bowing legs are characterized by symptoms including:
- Knees wide apart.
- Improper walking pattern.
- Asymmetrical legs.
- Discomfort in the hips, knees, or ankles due to the pressure of bowed legs on the joints.
Symptoms of rickets include:
- Bone pain, especially in the pelvis, legs, and spine.
- Muscle weakness, leading to fatigue and lethargy.
- The child may be delayed in walking, crawling, and sitting.
- Muscle cramps may occur in cases of severe calcium deficiency.
- Dental problems, delayed tooth eruption, and increased tooth decay.
- Bones become more fragile and more susceptible to fractures.
Causes of Bowed Legs
The causes of bowed legs can be traced back to several factors, including natural causes in childhood and pathological causes, such as:
- Obesity and excess weight increase pressure on the knee joints, causing bowed legs. Vitamin D and calcium deficiency weaken bones and cause bowed legs, especially in children.
- Blount's disease, a disorder that occurs in the growth of the tibia, causes a severe bowing below the knee.
- Fractures that have not healed properly.
- Chronic arthritis can affect bone structure.
- Some babies are born with naturally bowed legs due to their position in the womb.
- Genetic factors play a role in the development of bowed legs.
- Children walking too early, before the leg bones have fully developed, can cause bowed legs.
What are the causes of rickets
Common causes of rickets include:
- Vitamin D deficiency, which is necessary for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, which are important for bones.
- Lack of sun exposure, which leads to a lack of vitamin D, which is important for bone health.
- Malnutrition can lead to rickets.
- Mass absorption problems, Crohn's disease, or cystic fibrosis.
Types of Bowed Legs
There are two types of bowed legs:
- External bowed legs, which is a condition in which the knees are far apart when standing or walking.
- Internal bowed legs, which is a condition in which the knees are close together while the ankles are far apart.
Degrees of Bow Legs in Children
Bow legs in children are classified according to their severity into three degrees, including:
- Mild: The curvature is slight and does not significantly affect movement.
- Moderate: The curvature is obvious but does not cause severe pain.
- Severe: The curvature is severe, affecting walking and causing pain.
What is the difference between bow legs and rickets
Bow legs are a condition that causes the legs to bow outward at the knees. Rickets is a disease that causes weak bones due to vitamin D and calcium deficiency. Rickets is one of the causes of bow legs.
Treatment of Bow Legs
Treatment for bow legs depends on the cause and age. Doctors prescribe non-surgical and surgical treatments:
- Calcium and vitamin D supplementation for cases resulting from rickets.
- For children with Blount's disease, braces are used to guide the bones toward straightness.
- Targeted exercises help improve muscle flexibility and strength.
- Surgical treatments include implanting a small growth plate in the bone to guide the leg's straight growth over time.
- Osteotomy involves cutting the bone and fixing it in the correct position.
- Knee replacement surgery is performed in advanced cases where the condition progresses to osteoarthritis of the knee.
- An external fixator is used in severe cases.
How is rickets treated
It is important to take calcium and vitamin D supplements in doses determined by the doctor. It is also recommended to eat foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, such as fish, eggs, and fortified milk.
Increased exposure to sunlight is recommended because it helps the body produce vitamin D. In cases of severe deformities such as bow legs or spinal curvature, the doctor may recommend the use of braces to correct the bone position.
How long does it take to recover from a bow leg surgery
The full recovery period from a bow leg surgery usually takes between 3 and 6 months, depending on the patient's adherence to physical therapy and medical instructions.
Bow legs in infants
Bow legs in infants is common and is usually noticed when the child begins to walk. The bow may improve over time without the need for treatment.
Causes of bow legs include genetics or vitamin deficiency. Bow legs in infants are often a normal part of the growth process.
Summary of the difference between bow legs and rickets
Bow legs are a condition characterized by the legs bowing outward at the knees. Rickets is one of the main causes of bow legs.
Rickets is a disease that causes weak bones due to a deficiency of vitamin D or calcium. It causes soft and brittle bones due to a deficiency of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphate in the body.