Among the common foot deformities seen in children are in-toeing and out-toeing. In-toeing is more frequently encountered than out-toeing. Foot deformities are congenital. The most common foot deformity, caused by a problem in the foot bone, is clubfoot. Children with clubfoot walk on the outside of their feet and cannot use their feet normally. The treatment for these children involves casting the foot. If the casted foot does not return to normal, a minor surgical intervention may be necessary.
Outward and Inward Foot Deformities
The in-toeing and out-toeing problems seen in children originate from the hip bone. In all children, the hip bone is turned forward at a 45-degree angle. In adults, this angle decreases to 15 degrees. As the child grows, this angle reduces. However, in some children, the foot deformity persists because the forward rotation of the hip continues. If this forward rotation does not correct itself as the child grows, observation is sufficient. If it causes pain or similar problems while walking, surgical intervention may be required. Out-toeing deformity is also a problem originating from the hip and requires observation.
