Knocked Knees or Bowlegged? Genu Valgus/Valgum?

How Physical Therapy Can Help Improve Knee Alignment

Do your knees cave inward when you stand or squat? Or do they stay wide apart even when your feet are together? These common alignment patterns—often called knocked knees or bowlegged posture—can affect how you move, feel, and perform during daily activities and exercise.

At Matter Rehabilitation Physical Therapy, we help patients address knee alignment issues to reduce pain, improve movement efficiency, and prevent future injuries.

What Are Knocked Knees and Bowlegged Alignment?

Knocked Knees (Genu Valgum)

Knocked knees occur when the knees angle inward toward each other while the ankles remain apart. This alignment can increase stress on the knees, hips, and ankles—especially during walking, running, squatting, and jumping.

Bowlegged Alignment (Genu Varum)

Bowlegged posture is when the knees remain separated while the feet come together. This can place increased load on the inner knee joint and alter lower-body mechanics over time.

Both conditions can be present from childhood or develop later due to strength imbalances, mobility restrictions, or repetitive movement patterns.

Why Knee Alignment Matters

Poor knee alignment doesn’t just affect appearance—it affects how force travels through your body. Over time, this can contribute to:

• Knee, hip, or ankle pain

• Difficulty with running, squatting, or walking

• Increased risk of overuse injuries

• Recurrent injuries

• Concerns about posture or movement quality

Early intervention can prevent long-term joint issues and help you move more efficiently to enhance performance.

How Physical Therapy Helps

At Matter Rehabilitation Physical Therapy, we focus on correcting movement patterns, improving strength, and optimizing alignment. Our treatment approach may include:

• Targeted Strengthening: Exercises for hips, thighs, and core to support proper knee tracking.

• Stretching and Mobility Work: Improve flexibility in tight muscles that affect leg positioning.

• Neuromuscular Control & Knee-Tracking Training: Improve coordination for safer, more efficient movement.

• Sport- or Activity-Specific Movement Retraining: Tailored guidance for running, squatting, or daily activities.

• Activity Modification and Education: Advice on footwear, running form, or other movement adjustments.

  
  

The goal is to reduce joint stress, improve alignment during movement, and help you move with better confidence and efficiency.

Improve How You Move—Not Just How You Stand

Knocked knees or bowlegged posture doesn’t mean something is “wrong” with you—it means your body may benefit from better support, strength, and coordination.

Schedule an evaluation with Matter Rehabilitation Physical Therapy to learn how personalized physical therapy can help improve knee alignment, reduce pain, and keep you active.