How to Detect Intoeing in Infants

Infants and children with intoeing, also known as pigeon toes, knock knees or bowed legs, have feet that turn inward instead of pointing straight ahead. Intoeing is usually caused by a curved foot or twisted shin-bones or thigh bones. Intoeing is a common condition in young children and usually self corrects without treatment. It does not cause pain or interfere with your child's ability to learn to walk. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Look at the sole of the child's foot. An obvious inward curving is a cause of intoeing. The curve was probably caused before birth. Most of the time, the feet straighten out as the child gets older. Your doctor may teach you how to stretch your infant's feet to help them get straighter. Casts may be put on the feet if the shape is very curved or the curve doesn't go away.
2. Observe the knees, shins and feet of your child when he begins to walk. Look for a twist in the tibia, the leg bone between the knee and ankle. While the knees face straight ahead, the lower legs appear to bow to the sides and the feet are turned inward slightly. These are signs of internal tibial torsion. Most infants have this twist but it straightens out in the first year. In some, the twist doesn't straighten before they start walking. The bones usually continue to straighten until the child is 6 to 8 years old. Even if the child doesn't outgrow this condition, it does not usually cause problems with running or walking.
3. Check for knees that turn inward and bowed shins. This could be caused by excessive femoral anteversion, an inward twist in the thigh bone. This is usually noticed between the ages of two and four, when the ligaments and muscles become looser, and can worsen in early childhood. This condition usually gets better by the time the child is 8 years old. Sometimes, surgery is possible.
4. Ask your pediatrician to examine your child to determine whether intoeing is present and what type it is.
5. Get your family history and note intoeing in other family members. The condition is often hereditary.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult an orthopedist if the intoeing causes swelling, limping or pain.