I would like to talk about some important common childhood conditions we see quite often in our clinic which affect the way your child walks and it a cause of worry for many parents.
First is in-toeing- In toeing is very common in childhood and it usually goes away with growth. If you see an infant’s foot print it is turned inwards. As they grow it tends straighten by 9-10 yrs. of age and start to out toe a bit in late childhood or adolescent age. If an infant has in toeing there are usually 3 main causes.
1. Hooked foot (Metatarsus Adductus). It is usually due to tight intra uterine position which constrict the foot. Usually they straighten out in about 12 mnths, so no treatment is necessary. Very rarely this can be stiff and still persist, then your child may require some treatment
2. Other common reason is tibial torsion (means inwards twist of the lower leg). It tends to turn out gradually during infancy and childhood with growth and is a normal development pattern. few may need treatment if it doesn’t correct by 9-10 yrs.
3. Another common problem for in toeing is excessive femoral torsion or anteversion (twisting of the thigh bone). the legs, knee caps on both sides turn inward while standing and walking. Most of these children tend to W sit. It is most severe when the child is about 5-6 yrs. old and most children outgrow this condition by age 10. We just have to try and make the child sit cross legged or in a chair position to change their behaviour. few may need treatment if it doesn’t correct by 9-10 yrs. No special shoes, wedges, inserts or exercises help and will only make the child feel bad and do not correct the shape.
Other common problem is bow legs and knock knees. And again there is a normal development pattern. an infant tends to have bow legs which straighten by 12-18 mnths of age. Now the child naturally develops some amount of knock knees which is maximum at ages 4-6 and later straighten out to a normal position by age 7-8 yrs. If this usual pattern is seen in your child- No need to worry but any deviation or increased severity of deformity, your child will need a thorough examination and may need some treatment. And again No special shoes, wedges, inserts or exercises help and will only make the child feel bad and do not correct the shape. We can now treat these deformities with minimal invasive surgical techniques know as growth modulation.
Thank you for listening to us and please get in touch to learn more