I often see children with intoeing in my clinic. Intoeing, or pigeon-toed walking, is a condition where a child's feet are turned in when they walk. Around ten per cent of children between the ages of two and five have it.
Intoeing gait in a healthy child occurs as a result of the bones in the leg being twisted. Other causes are when the border of the feet can also curve inwards, or tight or weak muscles. A growth spurt can cause intoeing to worsen.
I have often seen children in clinic whose parents are concerned that their child is falling over a lot.
While 90 per cent of intoeing cases improve naturally, some cases do require treatment. We often refer children with intoeing to the physio where further assessment is carried out. This assessment includes their motor milestones, the range of movement of their hips, knees and ankles. Children's muscle tone and movement patterns are also checked. If these are normal, then we advise physical activity.
What can early years settings do?
Provide physical activity that can help with developing children's muscle strength and co-ordination, such as skipping, jumping, climbing and walking.
Children with this condition find it very easy to sit in the “W” position, with knees forward and legs out to the side. Settings should discourage children from adopting this position as it may delay or prevent the normal correction that occurs with growth and development. A child can be encouraged to cross legs when sitting – this helps to stretch the hips in the opposite direction.
Out-toed activities such as ballet dancing may help to improve an intoed gait that has become a habit.
Children with out-toed walking (penguin, as opposed to pigeon, walking) can benefit from activities that help the child walk in a straight line and strengthen the hip muscles.
