Is your Child In-Toed?

Have you noticed your child walking with one or both of their feet pointed inwards? This may be due to a condition called Metatarsus Adductus. More commonly this is called pigeon toed. This condition results from the long bones in your child’s foot being closer together and pointing towards the center of their body. The earlier this condition is noticed in your child though, the quicker something can be done for it and the better results that you will see.

When your child is very young, meaning newborn to 2 years of age, their feet are very flexible and are easily corrected into the appropriate position. For this reason, children under 2 years old can be treated by casting their feet slowly into the appropriate position. Through these gradual adjustments, your child will be able to have a regular foot and be able to wear normal shoe wear and walk regularly.

The casting technique works really well for many children. However, when you finish the casting, the process is not over. Your child will need to wear an orthotic device. These orthotics are inserts that are placed into your child’s shoe and will help them to maintain this position. Depending on the severity of their condition they may need to wear bracing at night for a while to help their feet stay where they are now. You can think of this process the same way we think of a retainer after braces for our teeth. You are holding the body part in the final position to maintain the results.

If you or someone you know has a child that is walking with their feet inward, our office staff would be happy to help you make an appointment. Dr. Wachtel will be able to figure out what the underlying cause is of the child’s foot position and will be able to help them fix the problem. Our offices swerve the Tewksbury, Methuen, North Reading and Lowell, Massachusetts areas.