A treatise on orthopedic surgery . n. Knock-knee may be induced, ap-parently, by holding the infant on the arm with the kneespressed against the chest, and certain cases of knock-knee andbow-leg combined appear to be caused directly by this mannerof carrying the infant habitually upon one arm. The legs of rhachitic children who may have never walked areoften somewhat distorted and in many instances this may beexplained by the habitual postures (Fig. 395). A moderate degree of bow-leg is not infrequently seen invigorous infants who stand and walk at an early age. Asidefrom the determining curve
A treatise on orthopedic surgery . n. Knock-knee may be induced, ap-parently, by holding the infant on the arm with the kneespressed against the chest, and certain cases of knock-knee andbow-leg combined appear to be caused directly by this mannerof carrying the infant habitually upon one arm. The legs of rhachitic children who may have never walked areoften somewhat distorted and in many instances this may beexplained by the habitual postures (Fig. 395). A moderate degree of bow-leg is not infrequently seen invigorous infants who stand and walk at an early age. Asidefrom the determining curve in the bone that may be present 596 OETHOPEDIC SUBGEBY. before tbe child begins to walk, this predisposition toward bow-leg may be explained, perhaps, by the fact that young infants,often separate the feet widely in walking, and the swaying ofthe body from side to side may tend to bend the legs weaker or less vigorous children a slight degree of knock-knee is not uncommon, induced more directly by weakness or Fig. Habitual posture as a factor in tbe etiology of rbacbitic bow-leg. inactivity of the muscles, as a result of which the child standswith the knees somewhat flexed and pressed together, while thefeet are separated and everted, an exaggeration of the so-calledattitude of rest. Bow-leg is not uncommon in adult life, and it is popularlyassociated with strength and activity. Undoubtedly the atti-tudes of activity would tend to induce bow leg rather thanknock-knee, so that this tradition may have a foundation oftruth. It is said to be common among those who ride con-stantly, and it may be a direct result of injury or disease of the DEFORMITIES OF BONES OF LOWER EXTREMITY. 597 knee-joint, but it may be stated that well-marked bow-leg in anadult has almost always existed since childhood. This state-ment cannot be made of genu valgum, since it may developor increase during adolescence or even in adult life. The pre-disposing cause is weakness or overstrain, an
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