Understanding Intoeing in Children: Should You Be Concerned?
Intoeing , or “pigeon-toeing” is a common paediatric presentation where the feet turn inward rather than pointing straight ahead. This can be noticed when standing, walking or running and can sometimes cause tripping and clumsiness. As parents, it’s natural to worry when you notice your child’s feet don’t look the way you expect them to, but in most cases, intoeing is completely normal and often resolves without intervention as a child ages. What Causes Intoeing? When a baby is in the womb, they are all bundled up which influences the torsion (twist) in the bones. As babies grow, the bones begin to unwind. This is the reason why feet turning in is more common in babies, shins turning in is more common in toddlers and hips/thigh bones turning in is more common in preschoolers or primary school children. There are three main reasons a child may have intoeing: Metatarsus Adductus : This occurs when the front part of the foot curves inward, typically occu...