Young children often have knees and legs that look awkward. Two types of bone problems that can be obvious at this age are bowlegs and knock-knees. Both of these conditions are fairly common in infancy, and are usually outgrown by the time the child enters school. In bowlegs, the ankles touch, but the knees are wide apart.
Bowlegs appear to be the opposite of knock-knees.
Bowlegs are seen in most children at birth. Once a child starts crawling or walking, the condition may become more obvious. It is always worse from 12 to 18 months of age. Most children will outgrow this condition. Parents often notice knock-knees when a child is standing.