My child’s toes point inward when walking. Is it okay to leave it alone?

Question

When my five-year-old daughter walks, her toes turn inward, and her daycare teacher said she seems to have an in-toeing gait. Could this cause problems later? At the hospital, they just said she’d grow out of it, but I’m not sure whether to trust that. I’m wondering whether changing her shoes would help or if she needs correction.

Jeon Eun-suk · Answer

The most common cause of in-toeing in children around age 5 is femoral anteversion (the thigh bone twisting inward). 
This is one of the natural effects of the position the child was in while in the mother’s womb.
The inward twist of the thigh bone tends to improve naturally as the child grows and the bone alignment straightens, usually by around ages 8 to 10.
Rather than looking for expensive corrective shoes, having your child wear comfortable sneakers that firmly support the ankles and heels will help much more with walking stability.
Positions to avoid
When sitting on the floor, sitting in a W shape with both legs bent backward can cause the thigh bones to rotate further inward, so this position should be strictly limited.
Recommended positions
When sitting on the floor, have your child sit cross-legged if possible, or sit on a chair.

My child’s toes point inward when walking. Is it okay to leave it alone?

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