Pigeon toes
Many small children have intoeing, or ‘pigeon toes’, a condition in which the feet point inward.
Most of the time, intoeing goes away naturally as the child grows and starts walking. But in a few children, it doesn't get better on its own and needs to be treated.
Even when it doesn't entirely go away by itself, intoeing usually doesn't produce serious problems. It doesn't cause arthritis or clumsiness. Because of the curve of their feet some affected children may have problems getting shoes that fit, however, most braces, shoe inserts and special shoes are expensive and don't solve the problem.
Intoeing in otherwise healthy children is usually due to problems with the foot or with the bones in the leg, either above or below the knee.
Some babies are born with a curve in their feet, probably due to them being squashed up inside the uterus for some months. This curve usually disappears quickly, but sometimes regular stretching or even the use of special casts is necessary.
In some babies the bone in the lower leg (tibia) or upper leg (femur) is not quite straight and has a twist, resulting in intoeing. Once again no treatment is needed for the vast majority of affected children. Very occasionally surgery is performed to straighten out severely twisted leg bones.
If your baby's feet seem slightly turned in, don't worry. But if the problem persists once your baby is active, seek medical advice. Although in almost all cases it will be a matter of ‘watching and waiting’, just occasionally something might need to be done.
Last Reviewed: 10 December 2007
