Deformity Surgery

Deformity is a general term for shape changes and curvature in the bones. Knee deformities commonly seen in children — known as bow legs or knock knees — make up a large share of visits to pediatric orthopedic clinics. Deformities involving the hip, foot, and upper extremities can also appear for various reasons.

Accurate assessment is needed to understand whether a deformity is part of normal growth or the result of trauma, vitamin deficiency, or another health issue. For example, deformities that appear as children start walking often improve without intervention. However, especially after trauma and in people whose bone growth is complete, non-surgical correction is usually not possible.

Pathological deformities can cause load imbalance in joints such as the knee, hip, or ankle and may lead to long-term joint wear.