Structural abnormalities of a child's limbs and foot positions: What is normal?
There are many stages in children's growth where the positions of the feet may seem abnormal, but are often part of normal development. Below is a very rough description of the most common situations. It is always best to have a doctor make the final assessment of whether the child's situation is normal or abnormal.
Foot and walking positions
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Flat feet and inward-turned feet: These are usually harmless in children and often heal on their own. If the foot is flexible and painless, treatment is usually not needed. However, a small number of children may need treatment.
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Walking with toes turned in or out: This is very common and is most often due to the natural change in hip position as the child grows. It does not require any special treatment.
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Toes overlapping: Often caused by tendon tightness. This is usually just an aesthetic issue and does not interfere with the child's movement.
Knee positions (Hip and knee bends)
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Westernness: Typical in infants and toddlers.
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Pincer knee: Most common at around 3 years of age.
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When to see a doctor? If the knee position is clearly unilateral (only one leg is affected), the problem worsens with age or is very severe.
Congenital abnormalities
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Clubfoot: It is usually diagnosed at birth. It is treated in specialized medical care, most often with a series of casts and special shoes.
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Clubfoot or clubfoot: The need for treatment for fusion of fingers and toes is always assessed individually. In the case of fingers, surgical treatment is more common to ensure functional ability.
Leg length difference
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Small differences: A leg length difference of less than 2 cm is very common and often completely harmless.
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Major differences: If the height difference is more than 2 cm, it can lead to posture problems and lameness. In these cases, the child will be referred to a specialist for evaluation to plan treatment.
Health Library article on structural abnormalities of children's limbs