My Childs Feet Turn Inwards
It can be really concerning to see your child not walking like other children.
We see many children each week who walk atypically and understand how concerning it can be for parents.
In-toeing or Pidgeon toes is common in children
What is in-toeing?
In-toeing or commonly referred to as pigeon-toed is when a child walks or runs with their feet pointing inwards.
What causes in-toeing?
There can be many causes of in-toeing such as:
- Tightness or weakness in certain muscles may lead to the opposite muscles becoming favourable which may cause the legs or feet to turn inwards.
- The shape of the leg bones - at different ages the bones in the legs change shape and can sometimes lead to an in-toeing walking pattern.
- Foot bony malalignment - at birth, some children are born with a bony malalignment which as they develop may cause them to walk with their feet inwards.
When to seek help about in-toeing?
Some children grow out of walking patterns this way as they develop.
You should seek help if:
- Your child is in pain or discomfort as no child should be in pain.
- Your child is clumsy and tripping frequently which could lead to long-term injuries.
- Your child is struggling to keep up with peers when doing physical activity.
- The parents of the child have struggled with a similar issue as some of the causes may have a genetic component.
- The child has older siblings who have a similar walking pattern that they have not grown out of, this means it would be likely that your child will not grow out of it.
How can a Podiatrist help with in-toeing?
We can do a full examination to find out where the in-toeing is coming from and then develop a specific treatment plan for your child. Some treatment options include:
- Stretching or strengthening specific muscles in the legs to encourage all of the muscles to function equally and achieve a more typical walking pattern.
- Ensuring that their footwear is suitable and supportive for the activities that your child is participating in.
- Gait plates can be put in your child’s shoes and encourage them to walk straight.
We Are Here To Help
If your child is walking atypically the first thing to do is book an appointment with one of our Podiatrists at Complete Podiatry for a comprehensive assessment to identify what is causing your child to walk in-toed.
Once this is done, we will develop a structured management plan that outlines our best advice for how to help your child return to doing the things they love to do without needing to worry about your child's feet turning inwards.
Just call us on 8330 0004, I'll love to talk to you about how we can help you build an amazing life from the feet up!
Yours in helping to build amazing lives from the feet up.
Natasha Bennett
Podiatrist at Complete Podiatry