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Mutant Bowlegs [Archive] - RonFez.net Messageboard

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Chigworthy
07-24-2008, 12:35 PM
Dr. Steve, about 5 years ago (at age 26), I noticed my foot levitating off the bed. Literally, I was laying on my side, and noticed that the ball of the ankle on my lower leg was not touching the bed. I rolled over and the other one was the same. I think that I noticed because of the slight pressure that I felt in my knees from supporting the weight of my lower leg. I never noticed being bow-legged before, I don't ride horses, and I never wear leather chaps.

What could cause this "adult onset bowleggia"? A few years prior to noticing this, I had spent a lot of time working on my knees as a stone mason, and had developed bursitis in both knees from not using my kneepads religiously. My doctor informed me that my kneecaps are abnormally high on my knee, and this can cause problems. I haven't had a recurring incidence of bursitis since then. I did painfully suffer what I self-diagnosed as Iliotibial Band Syndrome when I was doing a lot of running on hard surfaces in 2006 (after the bowleg mutation). This was characterized by sharp pain and stiffness on the outer sides of my knees. Basically, my knees are made of balsa wood, twist ties, and nerve endings.

As far as the bowlegginess, I don't know that the slight curvature is getting more extreme, but the unpainful pressure in my lower knee when laying on my side seems to be getting more noticeable.

Also, is it possible to strengthen the muscles in your legs to help with assorted knee problems? Does glucosamine work? At 32, I already have a laminectomy in my back, and to avoid other lifelong chronic pain issues would be the bee's knees.

Dr Steve
07-28-2008, 09:51 AM
Dr. Steve, about 5 years ago (at age 26), I noticed my foot levitating off the bed. Literally, I was laying on my side, and noticed that the ball of the ankle on my lower leg was not touching the bed. I rolled over and the other one was the same. I think that I noticed because of the slight pressure that I felt in my knees from supporting the weight of my lower leg. I never noticed being bow-legged before, I don't ride horses, and I never wear leather chaps.

What could cause this "adult onset bowleggia"? A few years prior to noticing this, I had spent a lot of time working on my knees as a stone mason, and had developed bursitis in both knees from not using my kneepads religiously. My doctor informed me that my kneecaps are abnormally high on my knee, and this can cause problems. I haven't had a recurring incidence of bursitis since then. I did painfully suffer what I self-diagnosed as Iliotibial Band Syndrome when I was doing a lot of running on hard surfaces in 2006 (after the bowleg mutation). This was characterized by sharp pain and stiffness on the outer sides of my knees. Basically, my knees are made of balsa wood, twist ties, and nerve endings.

As far as the bowlegginess, I don't know that the slight curvature is getting more extreme, but the unpainful pressure in my lower knee when laying on my side seems to be getting more noticeable.

As I grow older, I get progressively more knock-kneed. We'd make an interesting duo, walking down the street together.

The most common form of acquired "bowleggia" (great term...the medical term would be "genu varus") would be osteoarthritis of the knee. As the arthritis kicks in, it changes the shape of the joint, causing your foot to raise off the mattress when you lie down.

Any kind of thing that causes your body to change its actual SHAPE is worth seeing your doctor over...a quick x-ray can distinguish between a benign cause and a not-so benign cause. The fact that it's on both sides at the same time is encouraging...this argues for a progressive, long term cause rather than something scary that started last week, again pointing to an arthritic cause.


Also, is it possible to strengthen the muscles in your legs to help with assorted knee problems?

yes. more stronger=more gooder.

Does glucosamine work?

it sure does! there are multiple well-designed studies that show glucosamine is effective in some patients for osteoarthritis. multiple studies have also shown that chondroitin is WORTHLESS. So get the pure glucosamine and save yourself a lot of $$$!


At 32, I already have a laminectomy in my back, and to avoid other lifelong chronic pain issues would be the bee's knees

I'm with you! If you really wanted to go full bore, I'd see a rheumatologist; they specialize in all kinds of inflammatory conditions of the bone and soft-tissue, and they love seeing osteoarthritis patients coming because they usually can help them. later on if you need surgery, he/she could send you to an orthopedist.

good luck! hope this helps!


your friend,



steve

Chigworthy
07-28-2008, 11:27 AM
Thanks Dr. Steve! Great answers.