Pediatric Podiatry

A Walk Through Life: Early Development

A child’s feet undergo rapid and profound changes during their first three years of life. Unlike adult bones, the bones in a child's foot are soft, pliable, and easily damaged by constricting shoes, tight socks, or abnormal sitting positions. Because young children rarely complain about chronic foot pain, parents must be highly vigilant. At the first sign of excessive stumbling, tiring easily, or an abnormal walking pattern, a pediatric podiatrist should evaluate their mechanics.

In-Toeing (Pigeon-Toes) & Out-Toeing

In-toeing (often called being "pigeon-toed") can originate from how the baby was positioned in the womb, or from abnormal habits like "frog" or "W-sitting" (sitting on the floor with knees bent and feet splayed outward). If the inward twist originates in the foot structure itself, treatment should begin immediately—often utilizing gentle night splints, casts, or stretches. If left untreated, it can lead to lifelong knee and hip pain.

Out-toeing is generally inherited and is caused by an over-rotation in the hip or leg bones. Like in-toeing, specialized exercises and early podiatric intervention offer the best path to correction.

Flat Feet, Pronation, and Bow Legs

While many babies appear naturally flat-footed, this usually disappears as they learn to stand and walk. However, if an older child exhibits flat feet, they may be suffering from excessive pronation (the inward rolling of the foot). This mechanical strain makes the child tire quickly and causes generalized leg pain. Dr. Soltani frequently uses custom pediatric orthotics to correct pronation, relieve pain, and support healthy development.

We also monitor structural alignments such as Bow Legs (which should disappear by age two) and Knock Knees (common between ages two and seven). If these conditions persist, early podiatric intervention is critical to prevent permanent joint strain.

Frequently Asked Questions