Intoeing is an unusual problem that is found in infants and young children. Intoeing or pigeon-toed refers to the condition when the feet turn inward while running or walking, rather than pointing straight. Often the problem eventually corrects itself as the child grows but in certain cases orthopedic treatment is required to rectify it.
Causes:
There can be skeletal and neurological causes of Intoeing. Skeletal reasons include Metatarsus Adductus, Tibia Torsion, and Femoral Anteversion. However the neurological reasons can be due to premature labor and the intoeing due to neurological reasons should be taken seriously as the situation may actually worsen with age.
If the child’s feet are curved inward from the middle of the toes, the condition is referred to as Metatarsus Adductus. This usually occurs before birth and it is understood that the feet eventually straighten as the child grows up. Another cause is Tibia Torsion, which is a twist in the tibia, a bone between the ankle and the knee. The problem comes to notice when the child starts walking. Usually the twist straightens out itself; however, in some cases the twist does not straighten out sufficiently to make the feet straight and the child suffers from Intoeing. An inward twist in the femur (thighbone) leads to Femoral Anteversion.
Usually children are born with somewhat twist in the thighbone but the cause of intoeing becomes clear when the child starts walking. As these problems occur from genetic and development reasons it is almost impossible to prevent them.
Symptoms:
- Infant’s feet point inwards
- Outer sides of the child’s foot is curved
- clumsiness
- Stumbling
- Tripping while walking
Treatment:
Whether the problem is neurological or skeletal, the condition can be clear only after proper foot examination. The parents must consult a specialist to know the exact cause of the problem and whether treatment is required or not, and if required, then what should be the line of treatment. Metatarsus Adductus can be treated by serial casting, which involves applying casts to foot and leg for gently straightening it. This can be done to younger children as it is not suitable for elders. For older children, orthopedic surgeons recommend corrective devices such as special shoes and splints. This helps in modifying the position of joints. Sometimes surgery may be required to reset the bones, if the problem does not resolve on its own. An orthopedic surgeon will suggest the correct line of treatment after proper diagnosis.
