Pigeon Toes

[rydercup]

My DS1 took his first steps at 11 months and has been non-stop ever since. However, his feet turn slightly inwards and whilst I know this is quite common in children..it is now starting to interfere with his running a little (he swings his legs outwards to compensate for his feet!). I have an appointment with the health visitor next week and wondered if I should bring this up or not - anybody else had this problem?

Hi, I have 3 children 9,7,3. The eldest broke a bone in his foot 2 yrs ago (a long story), from this we learned, after an xray last year (which told us nothing except he had broken a small bone and there was nothing they could do) and this year after badgering the GP, when we went to a consultant that he is flat footed with extremely tight Achilles tendons and hamstrings to the point where he cannot touch his toes without bending his knees. This would never have come to light except for my persistance in knowing that there was something more wrong with him. He complained of a painful foot, aching legs etc. At first I put it down to 'growing pains', if there is such a thing. We finally saw a consultant orothpaedic surgeon on a Monday, followed by a consultant podiatrist on Wednesday. He now will have intensive physiotherapy with small bridges in his shoes to be built up over time. The podiatrist has confirmed that if we had not come across this by chance that he in future would have suffered possible, ankle, knee, hip and back problems and we would probably never have thought of the problem stemming from his feet. I now have to take my other two children to see him to make sure that if they do suffer with this that they are sorted sooner rather that later. With respect to his feet, try and get him to stand in front of you with his feet together, make a game of it, look at his ankles and soles of his feet, do they roll inwards? If they do you should insist on getting him referred, they may want you to wait until he is a little older, that is fine, the optimum time is between 3-6 years old. The physio explained to me that from the feet up the line of the leg should be straight, if it varies then it can affect the joints, specifically the knees. Everyone is built differently, but is best to check and if you are concerned then follow YOUR instincts, I did and I feel guilty that I didn't catch this earlier, but at least I have done something now and he will benefit when he is older.

Thanks Bird - I will definately mention on Wednesday (let you know the outcome!). You are so right to say go with your instincts! Thanks again and also for some top tips!

How old is he ? dd is 3 in August and still walks with her right foot turned inwards. Her paediatrician assures me that this will still right itself and there is no therapy or special shoes etc required unless there is an physiological problem. She also walked at a year and ran within weeks, despite being tiny. It has improved over the past year or so but is most pronounced when she wears less fitted shoes such as wellies. Occasionally she trips herself up when she runs. She is starting to want to balance along kerbs and lines so hopefully this will help her control it more.

Do bring it up with HV though and I'll be interested to hear her comments.

Hi - DS is 18 months. HV was reassuring today - she said most 'in-toeing' corrects itself by 3-4 years. However, she is going to observe and if things aren't better in 6 months she suggests I see the GP who specialises in children at the surgery. I have scoured the internet since and it backs up her conclusions (at this stage anyway!). Most importantly (and my biggest concern) if not severe it should have no impcat on his physical abilities (running etc). Thanks for all your advice anyway.