If a child walks with his/her feet turned this is called in-toeing. Some call this hen-toeing or pigeon toeing. This is very common in childhood. Although the problem seems to be caused by their feet, in-toeing is often caused by the shape of the hip. The shape of a baby’s hips makes their legs turn in and all newborn babies are in-toed but this is not noticed until the baby starts to walk. In most children the hip joints gradually un-twist meaning that as the child grows its feet gradually start to point forwards or even slightly outwards when they walk.
This takes time and occurs at different speeds in different children. Other reasons for intoeing include a twist in the femur (thigh bone), tibia (shin bone) or a misshapen foot, although these are rarer. Most kids with intoeing will be asymptomatic and it will have no effect on their function including athletic activities. In most cases therapy will not be needed and only very rarely surgical intervention becomes necessary in adolescence. If any concerns consult your local paediatric orthopaedic specialist.