Non-rachitic Bow Leg and Knock-knee Deformities in Young Jamaican Children

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Abstract
Severe bow legs and knock knees are very common in Jamaican children. These two deformities are closely related and are not due to any known pathological condition including rickets. In advanced cases the bow legs change to tibia vara and the knock knees to tibia valga, while changes appear in the tibial metaphysis which resemble osteochondritis radiologically. Three factors, racial, eccentric pressure on the knee and increased plasticity of bone, have been shown to play a part in the development of these deformities. In severe bow legs treatment appears to be indicated when the angle formed by the femur and tibia exceeds 25 deg. Spontaneous correction of lesser angulation can occur.

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