In-Toeing (Pigeon Toe) Private Treatment
Introduction
If your child has signs of in-toeing or if you have any concerns about your child’s walking pattern, a review by a private paediatric orthopaedic consultant may provide some reassurance and also help in ensuring that there is no underlying condition which can be treated. Mr Ng Man Sun has extensive experience in managing in-toeing and can help with the diagnosis and treatment of this walking pattern. Although in-toeing can be a normal variant, it may also be a sign of an associated condition.
Why Consider Private Treatment for In-toeing in Children?
Choosing private treatment for your child's in-toeing can offer numerous advantages that ensure faster, more convenient care compared to traditional NHS services. How do private treatment options for in-toeing differ from the NHS?
Time
Faster Treatment: By opting for private care, your child can receive treatment before an NHS appointment becomes available.
Convenient Scheduling: Private treatment offers more flexible appointment times to fit around your busy schedule, minimising disruption to your family life.
Quality
Enhanced Facilities: Private hospitals often have better-equipped facilities and luxuries not typically available in NHS settings.
Comfort
Comfort: Private treatment includes facilities like better food choices, private bathrooms, homely rooms, air conditioning, and smart TVs, making the hospital stay more pleasant.
Convenient Consultations: You can book consultations directly with our paediatric orthopaedic surgeon, ensuring you have easy access to medical advice and support.
Attention
Personalised Care: With fewer time pressures on staff, private treatment allows for more in-depth consultations, providing more time to talk and receive personalised care tailored to your child's needs.
More Choice
Flexibility: You can choose the location of the hospital, the specific specialist, and the timing of appointments, giving you greater control over your child's treatment journey.
Why Choose Hertfordshire and London Children’s Orthopaedics?
Mr Ng Man Sun is a tertiary paediatric orthopaedic specialist who treats children with orthopaedic conditions, including in-toeing, with a commitment to excellence and personalised attention. Here's why you should consider our services:
Expertise: Stephen Ng Man Sun is currently the only children's orthopaedic consultant in Hertfordshire who works at a tertiary paediatric orthopaedic referral centre.
Extensive Experience: He has vast experience treating childhood conditions, including paediatric fractures and sports injuries, complex foot disorders, clubfoot, childhood hip conditions, neuromuscular problems, and the correction of limb deformity.
Positive Feedback: We have numerous wonderful reviews and testimonials from current and previous patients. Read Testimonials.
Multiple Locations: Accessible in two hospital locations to provide you with greater flexibility and convenience.
Meet the Specialist: You can find out more about Stephen Ng Man Sun and his approach to paediatric orthopaedic care on our About page.
Choosing Hertfordshire Children’s Orthopaedics ensures your child receives the best possible care tailored to their unique needs, with the comfort and convenience that private treatment offers.
What is In-Toeing (pigeon toe) in children?
When a child stands for the first time and learns to walk, the way they walk can be very different to when they are older. It is very common for walking pattern to change as children grow. There are a few common patterns that parents should be aware of when watching their children walk, including in-toeing. Our private paediatric orthopaedic consultant, has several years of experience managing children with in-toeing at different ages. In-toeing, also known as pigeon toed, is when a child’s feet point inwards when they walk or run. It is often noticed by parents when a baby walks for the first time, but children of all ages may display this pattern. This can of course be worrying for parents as it may seem to cause children to trip more. It is important to note that in-toeing often resolves completely as the child grows and matures and their walking ability improves.
What are the causes of In-Toeing in children?
There are 3 main conditions which can cause in-toeing:
Femoral anteversion. This is where the thigh bone (femur) twists inwards leading to the child’s knees pointing inwards when they walk. This nearly always corrects itself by 10 years of age.
Tibial Torsion. If the shin bone (tibia) twists inwards, this is known as internal tibial torsion. The tibia normally untwists itself with growth and as the child become taller.
Metatarsus Adductus. When the foot curves inwards from the middle part of the foot, this may lead to the appearance of in-toeing. Metatarsus Adductus usually improves with time but in severe cases may need treated with plaster casts or splints. Surgery is not normally required to correct this.
What treatment is needed for In-toeing?
Treatment for in-toeing is dependent on what the cause is. In patients with increased femoral anteversion, avoiding sitting in the ‘W’ position is part of the mainstay of treatment. Activities such as ballet may help which encourages the child to stand with their feet pointing outwards.
Plaster casts or splints may be used in the treatment of severe Metatarsus Adductus to help mould the foot into a straighter position.
In rare cases where in-toeing causes a significant limitation of a child’s function or pain, surgery can be performed to rotate the bones outwards.
When should private treatment advice be sought for In-toeing?
It is important that you see a qualified surgeon if you are worried about your child in-toeing. In the majority of children, in-toeing will be self-correcting. However, in rare cases, this may represent other musculoskeletal problems and conditions which may require further investigation. This may include cerebral palsy or other neuro-muscular conditions. If you have any concerns, please book an appointment for your child to be assessed further.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
AUTHOR:
Stephen Ng Man Sun is a Paediatric Orthopaedic Consultant at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London. He has been a consultant since 2019 and is a fellowship trained Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon. You can read more about Mr Ng Man Sun on our About Page or connect with him in LinkedIn / Twitter.