Impact of physiotherapy on a female child with bilateral genu valgum managed with hemiepiphysiodesis: A case report

Genu valgum is also known as knock knee. It is most commonly seen in children, but this condition gets ignored in most cases until the child presents with an altered cosmetic appearance with irregular gait, pain, altered patellar tracking, difficulty in walking, and discomfort in performing activities of daily living. Determining whether the deformity is primary at the femur or tibia is important. Hemiepiphysiodesis, a guided growth plate of the femur or tibia, is a surgical procedure to correct the altered alignment at the knee joint. In this study, the assessment of a 9-year-old child with genu valgum was done pre-operatively as well as post-operatively. Physiotherapy is crucial in the post-operative management of genu valgum, focusing on pain reduction, improving muscle strength, and enhancing range of motion. This rehabilitation protocol was successfully implemented in a 9-year-old child post-hemiepiphysiodesis, leading to significant improvements in lower extremity function and quality of life. The child showed enhanced confidence, reduced social stigma, and actively participated in daily and recreational activities.