Wonky feet?

[MonMic]

Hi,

My 2yo DD has recently started walking pigeon toed, and tripping over her own feet alot.
She is in a new pair of shoes so I think that is contributing.

Do kids wear orthotics this early?
Is it something that needs to be treated now and I need to go and see someone?

anyone else had this problem?

I would be glad for your thoughts.

M.

[nemosmum]

Yes kids as young as 2 can get inserts to help with problems such as pigeon toed. Check with your GP and see what he/she thinks and perhaps get a referal. Its good that your noticing now and not later, best to get in early :)

[tully]

Monica,

Its quite common for kids to have funny looking feet and legs for quite a few years - they get pigeon toed, then bow legged, then knock kneed, and it is usually all part of the growing process - I think they sort themselves out by about 5 years of age.

Usually they just recommend letting kids be barefoot as much as you are able rather than worrying about orthotics and stuff - but you could ask your doctor.

My little one is not up to that stage yet, but this is what friends with older kids have said.

Tully

[Baby Girl]

My DD1 was pigeon toed from when she started walking until she got to about 2 and a half and now at nearly 3 her feet point almost straight. I took her to a podiatrist and he told me he wouldn't recommend putting her in orthotics until she was about 4 and a half to 5 years old as they grow so fast and in so many directions and also the cost of replacing the inserts everytime she goes up a shoe size - pricey :eek: !!

He recommended I let her go barefoot as much as possible (not difficult as she hates wearing shoes for more than 5 minutes!!) and have her checked at least every 6 months.

I got 2 opinions from 2 very different dr's and they basically both came to the same conclusion. So we take her to get her feet looked at 3 times a year and if she needs orthotics some time down the road so be it.

[MonMic]

Thanks everyone,

I have been takinga bit more notice over the past couple of days and it doesn't seem as pronounced when she is bare footed.

I will endeavour to have her in bare feet as much as possible, although our back yard is very uneven and full of bindii's.

Thanks
M.

[meshan]

My little boy who is almost 3 has just had orthotics made. His feet have looked weird since he was first walking and I have been seeing a phisyo since then. Initally we were just keeping our eye on it as these things can correct themselves. However as he got older he started doing what you have described in your daughter, running funny and tripping over his feet.

I was referred to a specialist and he suggested the orthotics. Because he is getting them so young he may only need them for 18 months or so.

I would really suggest seeing someone and I think a physio is a good start.

[Ky]

My dd walked funny and our chn referred us to a physio ... turned out that she is just incredibly flexible (like me - I can still do the spilts at 35!) and that she didn't need anything done.

We too have been told that bare feet is best and to make sure that all shoes bend easily when held between your thumb and forefinger. Also, they need to have been made on as straight a last as possible ie. they don't curve to much inwards towards the toe end - toes and heel are basically in line with each other.

[MonMic]

Thanks everyone,

I've been taking more notice of shoes around. Gee there is some really bad stuff out there.

If they know these things are bad for kids feet why do they keep making them?

I have to say I have never been a slave to fashion and would not buy anything just because it is 'IN" especially when it ruins their feet!

M.