Kids are constantly surprising us as they grow. They learn quickly, are constantly developing, growing and getting stronger – and not to mention wiser! But how do we know what is and isn’t normal when it comes to their feet and legs? This is a question we get asked a lot here at Perform Podiatry. Especially when it comes to feet that are pointed inwards or outwards! Unfortunately, there is no one right answer, as it very much depends on the age of your kids and any other symptoms they may be experiencing. To help you better understand what’s going on and if what you’re seeing may be concerning, here’s our low-down on in-toeing and out-toeing for kids. Note: If you’re an adult that is significantly in-toeing or out-toeing, that typically isn’t ‘normal’ and may be having consequences on your bones, joints and the rest of your body. If that sounds like you then we highly recommend coming in for an assessment with one of our expert Podiatrists.

Out-Toeing

Out-toeing describes the outwardly turned position of the feet that is sometimes referred to as ‘duck feet’. Out-toeing is less common than in-toeing, but it can be more serious if it doesn’t resolve. Out-toeing can be caused by:

• The outward rotation of the femur (thigh bone)
• The outward position of the hip (present at birth)
• The outward rotation of the tibia (shin bone)
• Flat feet (which make the feet appear to point outwards)

Out-toeing should resolve on its own by the age of eight years old. If your child experiences pain at the feet, legs, knees or hips, we highly recommend bringing them in to assess if they need early intervention to help resolve their pain and problems. Other warning signs to look out for include regular tripping, falling and not being able to keep up with kids the same age when it comes to physical activities.

In-Toeing

In-toeing describes the position where the feet are turned inwards to face one another when walking. It is often referred to as being ‘pigeon-toed’. While variations in foot position is not uncommon for young children, the in-toeing should resolve by the age of five years old. If it doesn’t, this is an indicator that the feet may need some assistance in straightening. In-toeing can be caused by:

• Metatarsus adductus, which is a bean-like shape of the foot present at birth (approximately affecting 1 in 1000 births)
• The inward rotation of the femur (thigh bone)
• The inward rotation of the tibia (shin bone)

While in-toeing itself does not usually result in any pain, it can cause tripping, falling and may contribute to knee, hip or other lower limb pain. If any pain is present or you notice your child often tripping on their feet, we highly recommend that you bring them in for an assessment.

How can these foot positions be treated?

If the out-toeing or in-toeing does not resolve on its own, we’re able to implement techniques to help encourage the feet to straighten. This can be done through:

• Orthotics that are custom-designed for the specific foot to encourage it to turn inwards or outwards respectively to straighten
• Strong, supportive footwear that will help stabilise the new position of the foot
• Stretching exercises to loosen tight muscles that may be affecting regular foot function
• Strengthening weak muscles to help maintain good foot positioning and alignment

If you’re unsure, we always recommend bringing your kids in for a foot health check and making sure they’re on the right track! Our team at Perform Podiatry love working with kids and helping families stay happy, healthy and active! You can book an appointment by calling 09 523 2333 or booking online here.