HealthInfo Canterbury

Bow legs

Waewae kōpere

Bow legs are when the legs curve out like a bow. When a tamaiti (child) stands with their feet together there is a gap between their knees.

This is usually because their legs were in a cramped position when they were in the womb.

Bow legs are common in pēpi (babies) and toddlers. They usually straighten out by about three years of age and don't usually need any investigation or treatment.

Very rarely bowing is caused by an illness that will need treatment. See your general practice team if:

• the bowing is getting worse
• one side is more bowed than the other
• your tamaiti child has pain in their legs or is limping
• you are concerned.

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

• Sydney Children's Hospitals Network – Bowlegs and knock-knees

  Information about bow legs and knock-knees

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed June 2022.

Sources

Page reference: 85151

Review key: HIBOW-85151