Patient's question:
Her knees can be extended forward, but there is about a 1.5 cm gap below the knees, which looks a bit like O-shaped legs. Besides the pigeon chest, she is currently taking calcium supplements. In addition to the pigeon chest, how should this condition be corrected?Previous treatment history and effectiveness: Around 3.5 years old, she had her bone density tested at a children's hospital and received two injections of vitamin D.
The kind of help desired: Wants to correct her child's legs and pigeon chest.
Doctor's answer:
Generaly, it is also known as "O-leg," and medically referred to as "genu varum." The primary manifestation of this deformity is that when both lower limbs are naturally extended or standing, the inner ankles can touch, but the knees cannot come together. Pectus excavatum refers to the deformity where the sternum protrudes forward. Its incidence rate ranks third among chest wall deformities, following funnel chest.Recommendations:
Methods for correcting O-leg include surgery, orthotic devices, braces, bandages, exercises, and corrective insoles, etc. Surgery is recommended for patients with skeletal deformities. Through surgical osteotomy and internal fixation, normal limb alignment and appearance can be immediately restored.
Pectus excavatum is divided into congenital and acquired types. Acquired cases are often caused by nutritional deficiencies and are more common in early childhood, being one manifestation of rickets. Early surgery for pectus excavatum may pose risks due to softer bone tissue, and acquired pectus excavatum may sometimes correct itself during growth. Therefore, for children under 3 with pectus excavatum, active treatment for rickets should be provided, including dietary therapy and vitamin D therapy. Calcium supplementation may be necessary if needed. Mild pectus excavatum often gradually disappears with physical growth. Strengthening physical exercises, such as chest expansion and sit-ups, can enhance the stability of the deformity.
For children over 3, the condition is often a sequelae of rickets, and treatment with calcium and vitamin D is usually ineffective. Using a specially designed brace to compress the protruding chest and maintaining it for a certain period can also achieve the goal of correcting the deformity.
The above are suggestions for the question "How to correct O-leg and pectus excavatum in children." I hope this helps. Wishing you good health!