Question

Anjali, a student of class IX was diagnosed with 'knock knees' which is becoming quite common in children due to lifestyle choices. She has seeked help from her physical education teacher. The teacher has advised her to practice certain exercises on a daily basis.

1. What are common causes for this postural deformity?
2. Suggest any two exercises for curing knock knees.
3. What other leg related postural deformities are there?

Answer 1

1. Common causes of knock knees (genu valgum) are rickets and obesity during childhood. Other contributing factors include muscular or ligament weakness, flat foot, faulty standing posture, improper shoes, and deficiency of vitamin D, calcium or phosphorus.
2. Two corrective exercises are:
   1. Padmasana - sit with crossed legs, feet touching the opposite hip, hands on the knees and back straight. 
   2. Gomukhasana.
   3. Other useful measures include horse riding, walking on the outer edges of the feet, keeping a pillow between the knees while standing erect, and walking along a straight line with knees facing outwards.
3. Bow legs (genu varum) is the other main leg-related postural deformity. In this condition the legs curve outward like a bow, leaving a gap between the knees when the feet are together.