The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-12-15
BOW-LEGS AND KNOCK-KNEES

knOck-Knee in infants or young
children is usually moderate defor-
nifty and does not call for any Spe-
cial treatment. If the ankles are
separated by less than two inches
when the child stands erect with
knees together, it is sufficient to put
lifts on the inner borders of soles
and heels of the shoes, to raise the
feet up along the inner border and
throw the weight upon the outer
border of the feet. These lifts
should be only 1i-inch thick. The
normal, strong position Of the feet
in standing or walking is always
rather that of the bow-legged type.
A bow-legged person walks on the
outer borders Of the feet.
Another help in correcting moder-
ate knock-knee in childhood is toe
ing in. The child should be taught
to toe in when standing or walking
or running, and never permitted to
toe out, sitting, standing or walking.
For either bow-leg or knock-knee
in childhood all forms Of outdoor ex-
ercise or play are beneficial, particu-
larly bicycle, velocipede or pushmo-
bile riding, pony riding, hop and
skip, skip the rope, all games in
which the child runs or lodges
about, and all forms of dancing. The
admonition about toeing in holds for
all these exercises, especially for
knock knee. It is less needed where
the condition is bow-leggedness.
Knock-knee is manifestation of
ricketts, in most cases. though In mod
crate cases as above mentioned the
deformity is merely static one, like
pronated feet C'weak ankles"D or
falling arches. Plenty of exposure
of the naked skin to direct sunlight
and an adequate Vitamin-D ration,
(cod liver oil, yolk of egg, fresh milk
butter, cream in the first year OF
life, therefore tend to prevent knock
knee.
Everything said about knock-knee
applies as we'll to bow-leg, except the
fitting of lifts on the shoes.
Suitable braces, fitted and applied
and constantly supervised by the
physician, are help In the correc-
ton of many cases Of knock-knee
and bow-leg in young children. II
is futile, however, to expect any ap-
pliance or mechanical continuance ia
alter the shape of the bones in the
legs after the age of six years. Moth
ing short Of an operation on the
bent bone or bones will correct
knock-knee or bow-leg in a person
over six years of age. If any brace
or gadget would or could remedy
such deformities in persons over the
age of six years, physicians, I mean
reputable physicians, would be happy
to recommend or use them. No good
doctor likes to do an operation fol
the correction of bow-leg or knock
knee; indeed, few reliable surgeons
will consider the operation unless the
deformity is quite pronounced and q
real impeachment. The scandal that
arose when an unlicensed practi.
toner attempted some such opera
ton and by his crude bungling caused
the loss of the victims legs, should
not deter anybody from seeking sur.
glcal relief for such deformity: Il
should merely emphasize the impor-
lance of making sure of the doctors
or specialists standing before you
submit to his treatment. If YOU
don't know how to determine an,
doctors or specialists standing, why
that's just too bad. If your town /.
not too backward there should be q
public information bureau main.
tanned by the local county medical