Living with Tibia vara
A growth condition (Blount disease) in which the shin bone bows inward and slowly worsens.
Understanding Tibia vara
The bowing slowly worsens over time. Many young children have bowed legs that improve with age, but this is different. It can affect one or both legs and can shorten the leg. It starts in infancy or childhood and is linked to obesity and early walking.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Bowed shin bone
- Changes at the top end of the shin bone
- Knee differences
- Bone and cartilage growth problems (osteochondrosis)
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include bone and joint specialists and genetic specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Bone and joint specialists (orthopedists or orthopedic surgeons); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says the cause isn't well understood, but hereditary and genetic factors are likely involved. It is linked to obesity and early walking.
Also known as: blount disease; blount's disease; familial infantile type osteochondrosis deformans tibiae; infantile tibia vara; juvenile osteochondrosis of proximal tibia; osteochondrosis deformans tibiae
Patient organizations
Rare-disease groups that can help
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Tibia vara.
Explore research for Tibia vara
Explore actively recruiting Tibia vara studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Tibia vara with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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