Gene varum (bowleg) is an angular deformity of the lower extremity with one or both legs showing an outward curvature at the knee.
Genu varum is common in infants but tends to resolve thereafter. Its presence after the age of 2 is considered abnormal.
Conditions associated with genu varum:
(1) tibia vara (familial, Blount's disease)
(2) asymmetric growth arrest of the medial part of the distal femur and proximal tibia due to disease (infection, tumor, etc)
(3) rickets (vitamin D deficiency, hypophosphatemia, etc)
(4) dysplasia of bone
(5) fibrocartilaginous dysplasia
(6) congenital longitudinal deficiency of the tibia with relative overgrowth of the fibula
(7) lead or fluoride intoxication
(8) physiologic
Complications:
(1) risk of pain and/or injuries to the patellofemoral joint
(2) osteoarthritis of the knee
