Outtoeing is a normal musculoskeletal condition in infants and children where feet point outward, usually correcting itself within a year or two. It rarely requires treatment and can be diagnosed through a physical exam and imaging techniques. Surgery is only necessary in rare cases.
Outtoeing is a musculoskeletal condition most commonly seen in infants and children, although it can continue well into adolescence. Often referred to as a rotational problem affecting the lower extremities, the musculoskeletal condition is characterized by feet that point outward. This problem, along with the reverse and more common condition known as intoeing, is actually considered a normal lower extremity variation and usually corrects itself within a year or two. Meanwhile, most cases of outtoeing, as well as intoeing, that occur typically do not cause functional problems for the affected person. As such, a person with the condition does not normally require treatment.
When they are born, most babies have external rotation of the hips, a normal condition that eventually corrects itself. In some children, however, the correction takes longer than usual to complete and causes spreading to occur, which is evident when the affected child begins to walk. As with external rotation of the hips, outtoeing also corrects itself, usually within about a year’s time. Another cause of outtoeing that usually resolves on its own is having a tibia or femur bone that twists outward. If all goes well, the baby will grow up and have feet that point straight forward or feet that angle slightly outward.
Indifference can manifest itself at various ages, but usually becomes apparent within the first year or two of a child’s life. A trip to the doctor will diagnose the condition and determine whether it is indeed a normal variant in the child’s development or something more serious. Your child might undergo a physical exam and an evaluation called a rotational profile. In addition, family history disclosure is also helpful. To verify your diagnosis, your doctor may use imaging techniques such as a computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or x-ray.
While the condition might initially pose some difficulties for children, those affected by outtoeing can, and often do, lead active and healthy lives. It is only in rare cases that outtoeing requires treatment. In general, the affected person will need to have surgery and have the bones rotated. Braces or footwear are not recommended treatment options as they are not effective in correcting the condition. After proper treatment, the affected person may find that their foot fits more comfortably inside a shoe.
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