Blounts Disease

What is Blount’s disease?

Blount’s disease, also called tibia vara, is a bone disorder that affects the growth plates of a child’s shin bones. It can cause the lower leg to bend and turn inward, resembling a C-shaped curve. When left untreated, Bount’s disease causes problems in the appearance of a child’s legs. It can reduce their ability to get around.

What are the symptoms of Blount’s disease?

Blount’s disease causes the following symptoms:

• Legs that bend inward
• Bowing below the knee
• Toes and feet that face inward
• Legs that form a curve
• Reduced ability to walk normally 
• Inability to exercise intensely
• Nerve and/or joint damage
• Painful arthritis of the knee
• Pain during physical activity

Blount’s disease might affect one or both of a child’s legs. In time, it can cripple them, preventing them from living their best life.

What are the risk factors for Blount’s disease?

The risk factors for developing Blount’s disease include:

• Being an infant older than one year
• Carrying excess body weight
• Rapid weight gain
• Walking before one year old
• Genetic factors

Blount’s disease is often most noticeable between ages one and three but can also appear during adolescence and adulthood.

However, Blount’s disease is rare, affecting less than 1% of the population. The condition’s cause isn’t known.

How is Blount’s disease diagnosed?

Our Doctors discuss their symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle to determine if your child has Blount’s disease. They check their vital signs, completes a physical exam, and order X-rays of the legs, hips, and ankles to get an in-depth view of the bones.

After two years of age, she can officially diagnose Blount’s disease because, after that age, a child’s natural bow in their leg is supposed to straighten out.

How is Blount’s disease treated?

Our Doctors treat Blount’s disease using various methods. Your child might have to wear a brace extending from their foot to the thigh. Some children have to wear the brace at night for about a year. Our Doctors also offer surgery to reconstruct bones, straighten the affected leg, and restore its normal structure and mobility.

They tailor Blount’s disease treatment to match the severity of your child’s condition, monitoring them to ensure the treatment is effective.

Schedule an appointment at OrthoHouston today by phone or online to have your child screened and treated for Blount’s disease.