In-toeing, Out-toeing, Toe Walking, Curly Toes

In-toeing, Out-toeing, Toe walking, Curly toes

For most children it is normal for them to present with in-toeing, out-toeing, toe walking or curly toes. These conditions often correct themselves. However, If your child seems to be in pain, perhaps they are tripping over a lot or you have concerns about their development then an assessment from an experienced podiatrist can help diagnose if there is a problem and suggest a treatment plan.

Rachel Miller is a highly experienced podiatrist who sees many children who have the conditions in-toeing, out-toeing, toe walking or curly toes. Please see below if you want more detailed explanation of these conditions.

Call 020 8348 5553 to make an appointment

In-toeing

In-toeing or pigeon toes is when the foot turns inwards and it can affect one or both feet. Your child may limp, stumble or trip during running or walking and in most cases this will improve with maturity with no treatment. There are 3 types of in-toeing and their cause is not completely known:

Curved foot (metatarsus adductus), which is usually present at birth.
Twisted shin (tibia torsion), the most common cause of in-toeing, which occurs around age 1 to 3.
Twisted thighbone (femoral anteversion), which occurs around age 3 to 8.

If the condition continues it should be evaluated by an experienced podiatrist. It may be a sign of other conditions and it may lead to some foot deformities such as bunions, hammertoe and flat feet. Treatment will depend on its cause and type and may include advice about activities which help the condition, postural advice, footwear advice and an orthotic insole can be prescribed.

Out-toeing

Out-toeing is when one or both feet point outwards and this may include difficulty walking and running. Mostly out-toeing does not require treatment. The majority of cases occur as a result of rotation of either the thigh bone or the shin bone. Occasionally, out-toeing is caused by a condition called developmental dysplasia of the hip, a dislocation of the hip joint, especially if only one foot is in an out-toed position. This condition should be evaluated by an experienced podiatrist.

Toe walking

Toe walking is common and children from 10 months onward can walk on tip toes which may continue for some years. In most cases there is no identifiable reason. Some children, if they continue with toe walking, develop stiffness, tightening and pain in their Achilles tendon which can be helped with stretching exercises. In some cases toe walking has an underlying cause, such as a neurological or developmental issue. An assessment from an experienced podiatrist may help find any underlying cause for toe walking and treatment can include advice, exercises or an orthotic insole.

Curly toes

Curly toes are quite common, usually present at birth and tend to occur on the 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th toe of one or both feet. The reason for curly toes is the tendons, that bend the toes, are too tight but the cause for this tightness is not completely known. The condition can be inherited. For the majority of people curly toes are not a problem, some may get sores or blisters or some pain in their feet and stretching exercises may help as well as good footwear advice.

Contact the Centre for an appointment on 020 8348 5553

Rachel Miller is a highly experienced podiatrist specialising in biomechanics and orthotic insoles who sees many children with the conditions in-toeing, out-toeing, toe walking or curly toes. Her clinic is in the Highgate Health Centre in Highgate village, N6, London every weekend on either Saturday or Sunday and every Tuesday and Wednesday. Contact the Centre for an appointment on 020 8348 5553. For clinic directions and maps see the Contact page and for information about chiropody see the Podiatry page and for information about biomechanical assessments, gait analysis and orthotic insoles see the Biomechanics page.

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