Human babies and children are NOT miniature adults
- Body proportions are different – relatively large head and trunk
- Different power to weight ratio
- Higher centre of mass
- Immature nervous system
- Immature postural control system
Movement and lower limb alignment is different in children compared with adults
Alignment
De-Rotation of the lower limbs takes 8-10 years
- 1-2 years = “Bow Legged”
- 3-4 years = “Knocked Knees”
- 5-6 years = “Flat Feet”
- 8-10 years = “Straight by 8”
Angular Profile
- Typical variances include “Bow Legs” and “Knock Knees”
- Physiological variance is termed “Genu Varum” and “Genu Valgum”
Rotational Profile
- Typical variance is termed “in-toeing” and “out-toeing”
- Physiological variance is termed “Torsion” which refers to the twist along the shaft of the femur and/or tibia
