My 26 mo old walks with his right leg slightly turned in. He can run fine (pretty fast too!) and doesn't trip. I was going to take him to the Dr. to check it out... Is this something they outgrow?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most cases do apparently resolve on their own.
Here's what they say on their parenting website, HealthyChildren.org
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/cond...
I'm 40 and pigeon toed -I have been since birth! It really doesn't cause any harm unless it's terribly severe. In fact, people who are slightly pigeon-toed DO run faster than the average non PT person!
I wore corrective shoes (which did nothing but look ugly) as a kid and we did do some things the doctor prescribed to help -roller skated A LOT, took ballet and honestly was just conscious of the way I walked until walking straight became more of a habit. I usually don't walk pigeon-toed these days unless I'm very tired. Often I stand pigeon toed -when I stop to look at something in a store I'll stand there with my feet turned in -but who really cares? When I sit or lie down with my legs stretched out in front of me, both of my feet turn in -particularly the right one where I'm MOST pigeon-toed. Being a woman, I've also had to learn to walk straight a lot because I enjoy wearing heels!
I've never had any problems stem from it, so you can ask the doctor about it, and if he is really pigeon-toed, you can work on different things with him as he grows to help him walk straighter. The "cure" back in the 70s was to wait until I was about 13 or 14 and then break my hips and legs, reset them and put me in a body cast for the summer! Can you IMAGINE?!?! INSANITY! Luckily my parents and I weren't dumb enough to fool with that medieval torture.
Bottom line -usually it isn't "outgrown." Mine stems from my right hip and femur that turns in -not from the lower leg or foot. My left foot is also slightly pigeon-toed, but again, it's from the hip. Start noticing when you're at the mall or grocery store -LOTS of people are at least slightly pigeon toed!
My husband was pigeon toed as a kid. When he learned to ride a bike it mostly self corrected. Although now, when he's very tired, his feet do turn in.
If you don't want to fork over a lot of money on it, call ChildFind for an evaluation. It's free and they check out all of that kind of stuff, too. Our podiatrist says you don't want to give a child orthodics until they are at least 5. It affects the developing muscles and bones. I've had a second opinion that said the same thing. Our son has completely flat feet, so that may be why they wait. I know my SIL just had yet another surgery for your PT, and she had treatment as a baby on. GL!
Ask your pediatrician at your next visit to take a look. It is usually outgrown.
most pediatricians will say they will out grow it, but some do not. He may be over pronating his foot (flat footed) and may need an arch support. Make an appointment with a podiatrist. They will know what he needs if anything.
Totally go to a chiropractor. They can do wonderous things at this age with feet. My son was 'leaning in' at his ankles. His dad had to wear special shoes for YEARS because of the same condition and just hated it.
With a few visits to a chiro (spread out at 6 week intervals), his ankles are now straight and we avoided the whole special shoes bit, it's stigma and the cost was less than going the medical specialist route.
