Feet and Legs
What is clubfoot?
When the foot’s tendons and ligaments are tight and underdeveloped there is a twisting of the entire foot downward and inward. Repair involves serial casting and sometimes surgery.
What is metatarsus adductus (curved foot)?
In this problem the foot is curved with the toes curved inward with a kidney bean shape. This condition is treated with serial casting and motion exercises. If the condition is mild and there is no rigid (fixed) deformity of the foot then no treatment is needed and the foot is watched closely to see that the curvature continues to improve.
What causes “toeing in?”
Most toeing in is caused by the tibia (shin bone) turning inward (internal tibial torsion) or the femur (thigh bone) rotating inward (femoral anteversion). These conditions usually go away by age four.
What is “toeing out?”
This is usually caused by the tibia or femur rotating outward. It almost always corrects itself and is frequently seen when a child is learning to walk.
Do most infants have flat feet?
Most infants look like they have flat feet due to a fat pad in the instep. By the age of three years most children develop a visible arch.
Are there any key things to remember about foot conditions?
Shoes are for warmth and protection. They serve no function in the structural growth of the feet. Look for a shoe which is flexible. You should be able to bend the ball area about 40 degrees while holding the heel. Measure your child’s foot in the shoe while he is standing in it. Make certain there is enough room (one half your thumb’s width) at the tip of the big toe and at the widest parts of the foot. Your child should be able to wiggle and curl all his toes inside the shoe and the back of the shoe should not be too tight or too loose.
Are hand me down shoes OK?
Yes, as long as they fit well and are still structurally okay. Shoes are for warmth and protection. They do not help feet develop
