In-Toeing in Children

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What is intoeing?
Most people's feet point straight ahead or outward. In some people, however, the feet point inward. This is called intoeing or pigeon toed. It is very common in young children. Most of the time it goes away without any treatment at all.
It usually doesn't cause serious problems, even if it doesn't go away by itself. It doesn't cause arthritis or clumsiness. Sometimes they have problems finding shoes that fit because of the curve of their feet. This is when parents consider treatment.
What causes intoeing? There are three causes: Metatarsus adductus, internal tibial torsion and excessive femoral anteversion.
METATARSUS ADDUCTUS: Is a curve in the foot. This is best seen if you look at the sole of your child's foot. The curve in the foot is probably caused before the baby is born when the feet are pressed into this position inside the uterus. 9 out of 10 children the feet will go straight as they grow up.
Stretching exercises will help the foot go straighter. Your doctor will instruct you on what to do.
INTERNAL TIBIAL TORSION: is a twist in the tibia bone. Parents notice this about the time the child begins to walk. Some inward twist of the tibial bone is normal. Usually this twist straightens out during the baby's first yr. Leg bones usually continue to grow straighter until the child is 6 to 8 yrs old.
Most doctors do not give any treatment for internal tibial torsion in young children.
EXCESS FEMORAL ANTEVERSION: This is an inward twist in the femur (thigh bone) This cause of intoeing usually shows up in children between 2 and 4 yrs of age. It can get worse during early childhood.
All babies are born with some inward twist of the thigh bone. It usually gets better during the first years of life. In babies and toddlers the ligaments and musles that connect the bones are tight. As they start walking these ligaments and muscles become looser which allows the hips to rotate more inward.
This usuall gets better by itself. In most children, the feet will point straight ahead or outward by the time they are 6 to 8 yrs old. Braces or shoe modifications will not help.