Foot

Torsion

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Diagnosis

In 95 percent of children, in-toeing corrects itself by the time the child is 10 years old. Because of this, children with symptoms are observed -- usually by their pediatricians -- until they are around 10 years old. This allows normal development to take its course, while looking out for potential problems. If significant in-toeing or out-toeing persists, you may want to consult an orthopedic surgeon.

Significant torsion is characterized by the following:

• Functional Problems -- In severe cases, the rotation of the lower limbs is so extreme that the child has difficulty running, playing and participating in normal childhood activities. Out-toeing is more likely to present functional problems than in-toeing. In fact, in-toeing may be a functional advantage as athletes tend to be in-toed more often than others.

• Unacceptable Appearance -- Your child may regard severe in-toeing or out-toeing as ugly, which may have negative effects on his or her body image and self-esteem. While it may be more acceptable to address a medical problem for functional reasons, appearance can't be ignored and needs to be factored into treatment decisions as well.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Children's Hospital.
Last updated May 8, 2007