Dr. Robert Needlman
Specialist in pediatric behavior and development.
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 Ask Dr. Needlman
Nine-Month-Old's Right Foot Turns Out | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Needlman,
My 9½-month-old son's right foot juts out at a 45 degree angle when he is standing and walking. Our pediatrician said that his tibia is curved and that we should watch it. My question is: Should we consult a specialist for this problem or wait?
He doesn't seem bothered by it and has been cruising the furniture since he was seven months. My concern is when he is older.
Your response is appreciated.— Pjsmom in Massachusetts | | | ANSWER |
April 22, 2002 | | | Dear Pjsmom,
Without seeing your son, of course I can't tell you about his feet in particular. But in general, many babies have out-turning and in-turning feet that straighten out some time after they start to walk. In order to walk with more stability, toddlers hold their feet more and more straight, and over time they correct the problem themselves.
If a foot points in or out, it isn't usually difficult for a pediatrician to tell by examining a child whether the curving is occurring in the foot, the lower leg (tibia), the upper leg, or the hip. It's also not too hard to tell whether the curve is likely to go away on its own or if orthopedic intervention is needed. For the most part, if it is easy to take the foot in your hand and point it in the right direction, then there's a good chance that the toddler will straighten that foot out himself over time.
If you trust your pediatrician, then there is probably no need for you to seek a second opinion. Most feet that turn out at nine months straighten out on their own.— by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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