Noticing that your child's knees touch while their ankles stay apart when they stand is one of the most common reasons parents seek a pediatric orthopedic opinion — and in the large majority of cases, this is simply a normal, temporary stage of growth rather than a condition needing treatment. Dr. Ankit Chaudhari at Ashirwad Hospital provides an honest evaluation of whether your child's knock knees is a typical part of development or whether further investigation is genuinely warranted.
Knock knees, medically known as genu valgum, is a condition where the knees angle inward, so that when a child stands with their ankles together, the knees touch or come closer together than the ankles do when standing with feet apart. This is extremely common in toddlers and young children, appearing most noticeably around age three to four, and in most children it corrects itself naturally as part of normal growth and development, without needing any specific treatment.
Because the overwhelming majority of knock knees in young children is a normal developmental stage that resolves on its own, the priority at Ashirwad Hospital is distinguishing this typical pattern from the smaller number of cases that genuinely need further evaluation — rather than recommending unnecessary tests, braces, or treatment for a condition that will correct itself. This evaluation is part of comprehensive pediatric orthopedic care at Ashirwad Hospital, supported where needed by imaging through the diagnostics and imaging service.
Most knock knees is normal physiologic development. Dr. Chaudhari's first priority is confirming this clearly, rather than defaulting to tests or treatment a child does not need.
Evaluation starts with observing how the child stands and walks, and measuring the distance between the ankles when the knees are together — not with a battery of tests.
X-ray is generally reserved for cases that are one-sided, severe, affecting a small-for-age child, or not improving as expected — not used routinely for every child.
Age of onset, symmetry, growth pattern, and associated pain are all weighed together to separate typical development from the smaller number of cases needing further work-up.
For the children who do need intervention, both guided growth surgery and osteotomy are available at Ashirwad Hospital, matched to the child's age and growth remaining.
When observation is the right path, parents leave with a clear plan for what to watch for and when to return — not vague reassurance with no structure behind it.
Select a topic below to understand more about knock knees, how it develops, and how it is assessed at Ashirwad Hospital:
Knock knees, or genu valgum, describes an inward angle of the legs at the knee, so that when a child stands upright with their knees together, the ankles remain apart. This is part of a normal sequence of leg alignment changes that most children go through.
Understanding where a child sits in this normal sequence is the starting point for every knock knees evaluation at Ashirwad Hospital.
Yes, in the large majority of cases. Physiologic, meaning normal developmental, genu valgum is extremely common in toddlers, preschoolers, and early school-age children, and is slightly more common in girls than boys.
While physiologic development accounts for most cases, a smaller number of children have knock knees related to an identifiable underlying cause. Recognising these is part of every evaluation at Ashirwad Hospital.
Evaluation focuses on distinguishing normal developmental knock knees from a pattern that needs further investigation, without over-testing a child who does not need it.
No. For normal, physiologic knock knees, the only treatment needed is time, since the vast majority of children improve on their own as they grow, generally by around age seven to eight. Special shoes, braces, and orthotic devices have not been shown to speed up or improve this natural process and are not recommended.
These treatment decisions are made only after careful evaluation confirms that observation alone is not the appropriate path for a specific child.
Here is what a knock knees consultation at Ashirwad Hospital typically involves, from the first conversation to a clear plan going forward:
A discussion of when the knock-kneed appearance was first noticed and how it has changed over time, including any family history or related concerns.
A physical examination observing your child's standing posture, gait, and the distance between the ankles when the knees are together.
A clear explanation of whether this appears to be normal physiologic knock knees or a pattern warranting further evaluation, in plain language.
Imaging is arranged only if specific warning signs, such as asymmetry or lack of improvement, are present — not as a routine step for every child.
Honest guidance on whether observation alone is appropriate, or whether further evaluation or treatment should genuinely be considered.
A follow-up plan is set if ongoing monitoring is recommended, so parents know exactly when to return and what changes to watch for.
While most knock knees is a normal developmental stage, certain patterns warrant a proper orthopedic evaluation rather than simply waiting for the child to grow out of it.
Parents in Surat often arrive concerned that their child's knock knees needs immediate treatment, or worry about long-term consequences. Here is how Ashirwad Hospital approaches this concern — reflecting common questions parents raise while researching terms such as best knock knees doctor in Surat, genu valgum treatment in Surat, or knock knees specialist near me.
Honest reassurance, backed by examination findings, when the pattern is normal physiologic development.
Clear explanation that these do not speed up correction and are not recommended for typical cases.
Imaging used only when specific warning signs are present, not as a routine step for every child.
Clear guidance on the specific patterns — one-sided involvement, severity, or lack of improvement by a certain age — that warrant closer evaluation.
Honest discussion of guided growth surgery or osteotomy for the smaller number of cases that genuinely need intervention.
If you are searching for a knock knees doctor near me, or a pediatric orthopedic specialist near me, Ashirwad Hospital on L.P. Savani Road, Adajan is accessible to families across Surat. Whether you are looking for a knock knees doctor near me in Adajan, a genu valgum specialist near me in Vesu, or the best pediatric orthopedic hospital in Surat city, Dr. Ankit Chaudhari at Ashirwad Hospital is within reach for a thorough, honest evaluation.
Dr. Ankit Chaudhari is an orthopedic surgeon in Surat at Ashirwad Hospital, evaluating knee and leg alignment concerns in children as part of comprehensive pediatric orthopedic care in Surat. Parents across Surat, including Adajan, Vesu, Athwa, Piplod, Katargam, and Varachha, bring their children for evaluation of knock knees, most often after simply noticing the appearance of the legs while standing or walking.
Because the overwhelming majority of knock knees resolves on its own, Dr. Chaudhari's approach centres on distinguishing normal development from the smaller number of cases that genuinely need further evaluation — rather than recommending unnecessary tests, braces, or treatment. Learn more about his background and approach on the about us page.
Knock knees evaluation at Ashirwad Hospital is part of a comprehensive orthopedic and pediatric service covering every bone, joint, and growth-related concern:
Accessible from Adajan, Vesu, Pal, Athwa, Katargam, Varachha, Rander, and across Surat city. Families from beyond Surat also come to Ashirwad Hospital for an honest, thorough knock knees evaluation.
| Monday – Saturday | 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM |
| Sunday | By prior appointment or emergency only |
Visit the contact page for directions and appointment details. No referral required.
Ashirwad Hospital provides specialized orthopedic care with modern facilities, expert surgeons, and patient-focused healing.
3rd Floor, Vision Business Hub Opposite Shell Petrol Pump, L.P. Savani Road, Adajan, Surat, 395009