Pigeon-Toed Gait Among Children – A Cause of Concern

What do people want from life? Good health and well-being for themselves and their children. Everyone wishes for healthy and happy children. Once the child starts walking, it brings immense pleasure to the parents. In some kids, walking may not seem normal. There is an appearance of pigeon-toed gait symptoms. It is not a big problem until it causes pain. But if limping is induced by pigeon toe, consult a health professional.

Technically, pigeon toed gait is an inward turning of toes. This is also called in-toeing. The child may have frequent falls while walking or running. If you are concerned due to frequent falls, then you may need to consult a medical practitioner to get it treated.

The following reasons are responsible for In-toeing 

• Metatarsus- when the fetus does not have enough space in the womb of the mother
• Tibial torsion- This develops by the age of 2. when there is a turn in the shin bone, in-toeing may occur.
• Femoral ante-version- This develops around the age of three when turning off the thigh occurs.

Diagnosis 

Doctors may take some examinations to conclude pigeon-toed gait. He will make the child walk and run. Parents may diagnose more early when the baby takes the first step. But few kids may develop it later. One has to be alert to identify the symptoms of clumsy walking.

Doctors check by slightly moving the feet of the child. They may twist their ankles. To diagnose clearly, they try to bend the knees and twist the hip area. An X-ray may also be done to reach to correct cause and effect. After the correct diagnosis, treatment will be started.

What are the Possible Treatments?

Many times pigeon toe symptoms get away on their own. Mostly by the age of 8, they may disappear. But for some kids, they may not. In case you feel chances of foot ailment, you can consult a podiatrist. Podiatrists are the specialist doctors who look over the matter of foot ailments.

Some children may get treated by physiotherapy. Some may require to wear specially designed shoes.

It is a relief that the pigeon-toed condition does not cause other health problems. The child may feel conscious while walking. Fear of falling haunts him, but there is no need to panic. Personalized treatment can and will cure the ailment. Early diagnosis and treatment will help overcome the condition.