Foot deformities in children (Part two)

Intoeing- Walking with feet turned inward

Intoeing is common during a child’s growth

There are three causes of intoeing that your doctor may identify:

1. Curved feet
2. Tibial Rotation
3. Femoral Rotation

Curved Feet

Curved feet are caused by the position of the child before birth

Most children with curved feet improve without treatment in the first months, however, improvement can continue up to the first 3 years of life. Rarely, curved feet may become stiff, persist and require treatment with casts or splints. Special shoes do not correct it.

Tibial Rotation

Tibial Rotation is an inward turn of the lower part of the leg. This is a normal variation that is very common during infancy and childhood.

Splints, exercises, braces, or shoe modifications do not correct the rotation and in fact may be harmful. Legs with tibial rotation straighten without treatment during infancy and childhood.

Femoral rotation is a twisting of the thigh bones caused by an internal rotation of the foot. The cause of femur rotation is unknown. Femur rotation is more severe when the child is about five or six years old. Most children outgrow this issue by the age of 10. Shoe inserts, modifications, or braces do not correct this condition. They can be uncomfortable for children and may harm them while playing.