The knee in valgo, or genus valgo, is when the knees are misaligned, looking inward, touching each other, this change can be noticed from the age of 8, since until this stage it is most common for the legs to arch outwards.This condition is also known as ‘X-shaped legs’ and ‘scissor legs’.
Knee valgo increases the loads inside the knees, being most seen in women and its causes include:
- Children are usually born with a vagus or varo knee.
- But this is corrected as they grow older.
- In the absence of correction.
- Knee valgo may promote the appearance of sprains.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Tendinitis and bursitis.
- Understand the difference between tendinitis and bursitis and how to treat it.
To identify the valgus of the knee, it is necessary to observe the legs of the individual in a standing position, keeping the body straight and the feet parallel.
This deviation of the knees does not always cause pain or discomfort, although it can increase the risk of osteoarthritis in this joint, patellar dysuxuring, stretching of the medial collateral ligament, increases the lateral traction of the quadriceps
Treatment to correct the knee in valgo is done with corrective exercises indicated by the physical therapist, with better results when performed in children and adolescents. The use of orthopedic insoles may also be indicated, as they promote realignment of the ankle and feet and therefore prevent misalignment of the knee.
Corrective exercises for knee valgo consist of strengthening the muscles of the anterior and lateral parts of the thigh: semi-detached, semi-membrane, gracilis, sartorio, vast medial and femoral biceps, and the lateral and posterior leg muscles should be stretched, such as a can fascia tensioner, femoral biceps, and lateral knee structures.
It is advisable to avoid certain types of exercises, such as running and squatting, and decrease the intensity and pace of physical activity.