Aesthetic Options for the Appearance of Crooked Legs

Crooked legs means that the legs curve inwards or outwards at knee level. This appearance may result from curvature of the bones, from the distribution of fat and muscle in the legs, or from both together. Correcting bone curvature falls within the field of orthopaedics; aesthetic procedures do not correct the bone, but only aim to balance the appearance of the legs by changing the distribution of soft tissue.

What Are Bow Legs and Knock Knees?

• Bow legs (genu varum): When standing with the ankles together, a gap remains between the knees; the legs look like brackets.
• Knock knees (genu valgum): When the knees touch, a gap remains between the ankles.

In some people the bones are straight, but the legs look curved because of the distribution of fat and muscle; this is also called apparent curvature.

What Causes It?

Some curvature of the legs at certain ages in childhood can be part of normal development. Permanent curvature can be caused by inherited and developmental factors, certain bone diseases such as rickets due to vitamin D deficiency, or previous injuries. Exercise can strengthen the muscles but does not correct bone curvature.

How Is Bone Curvature Assessed?

Whether the curvature comes from the bones or from the distribution of soft tissue is determined by examination and, if necessary, imaging. In significant bone curvature, especially if there is knee pain or difficulty walking, assessment and treatment are carried out by an orthopaedic specialist.

Aesthetic Options

Aesthetic options aim to make the leg contours look more balanced by reducing the appearance of a gap along the inner side of the legs:

• Fat injection: Fat taken from the person's own body by liposuction is processed and injected into areas of the leg that lack volume. Part of the injected fat may be absorbed over time, so more than one session may be needed.
• Calf implant: A silicone implant shaped to the anatomy of the leg is placed on the inner side of the calf. It is an operation performed under general anaesthesia and involves a recovery period.
• Filler: Fillers are not permanent; their use in large areas such as the legs is limited, and the doctor decides whether they are suitable.

The methods can be planned alone or together. The doctor decides at the examination which method is suitable, after assessing the structure of the legs and expectations. Results vary from person to person.

Risks

Each procedure has its own risks. With fat injection, more of the fat than expected may be absorbed, and asymmetry, irregularity and risks related to liposuction in the area where the fat is taken may occur. With calf implants, risks include infection, fluid or blood collection, displacement of the implant, asymmetry and changes in sensation. The risks should be discussed in detail with the doctor before the procedure.

For detailed information about the liposuction used to collect the fat, you can read our liposuction page.

Author: Op. Dr. Yücel Sarıaltın