Foot

Torsion

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Signs and Symptoms

The term torsion refers to in-toeing and out-toeing.

In-toeing, or "pigeon toes," is a normal stage in childhood lower-limb development. In more than 95 percent of children who have in-toeing, their lower limbs eventually rotate out on their own by 10 years of age. At this point, the adult shape of the legs has set in, and no further improvement can be expected. In-toeing almost always gets better on its own and does not pose a problem during childhood or adulthood.

Out-toeing also can be a normal part of development. Unlike in-toeing, however, it doesn't spontaneously correct itself, for the lower limbs tend to rotate outward with growth rather than inward. At best, out-toeing stays the same as the child matures; at worst, it can become more pronounced. Out-toeing can get worse with age and can interfere with a child's ability to participate in physical activities, such as sports.

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