Walking with one foot turned out?

[alaskagrown]

So when Lilly walks along with her push-walkers or stands up against furniture her right foot points completely outward, like the foot would be pointed in second position in ballet. If I correct it she automatically springs it right back outward. The left foot always points forward normally. Is this common?

The occupational therapist noticed it too and told me to keep an eye on it because it could be indicative of a hip problem? Just wondering if I'm the only one...

 

[robinator]

Has she always done this, or is it intermittent? My dd would go through weird foot position phases while she learned what felt right.....

 

[Sapphire83]

I have no experience but would assume that a hip problem would have already been spotted by her pediatrician? I hope that Lilly just favours positioning her foot like this for the time being and her hips are fine.

 

[alaskagrown]

I'm not sure if it's intermittent. She has been pulling up to stand since around 7 months and I've kind of sort of noticed it, but haven't really thought anything of it. It is really obvious now that she runs around the house with her push-walker all day She looks like she's limping around with a stiff peg-leg or something.

We have an OT appointment on Wednesday and a regular doctor's appointment on Thursday. I'm going to bring it up at both and see what they say. Obviously by the lack of responses it's not that common >_<

 

[erikab922]

Our LO puts her feet in all sorts of weird positions where I look at it and think, that can't be comfortable, but I think she just keeps her feet in whatever position they land in as she's getting into standing position!

 

[robinator]

Even with off the wall foot positions, it shouldn't cause a limp. I hope that if there is a problem, the ot can spot it and set Lilly on a healing path

 

[alaskagrown]

Siiighh. So now that I'm aware of it I noticed that when she sits on the floor with her legs extended out, her right foot completely flops to the side while her left foot remains relatively straight

 

[essie0828]

My LO's right foot does this as well. Her pediatrician is keeping an eye on it and said if it doesn't get better as she learns to walk that she my need leg braces. Her hips are fine but I m pretty sure she has a bit of bow to her lower right leg. Her doc says it's quite common and the braces are worn for a short time and LO won't even remember having to wear them.

 

[essie0828]

Btw when she wears shoes with a bit of support in them it's not as bad.

 

[alaskagrown]

My LO's right foot does this as well. Her pediatrician is keeping an eye on it and said if it doesn't get better as she learns to walk that she my need leg braces. Her hips are fine but I m pretty sure she has a bit of bow to her lower right leg. Her doc says it's quite common and the braces are worn for a short time and LO won't even remember having to wear them.

LOL, it's funny you mention that Yesterday my dad said he had to wear leg braces and he remembers them. I'm guessing he was older though, maybe around 3.

 

[essie0828]

Oh and DD was dx'd as an IUGR baby in the last weeks of my pregnancy. She was born weighing 7lb3oz but had ran outta room and her legs were wadded up all weird. Her pediatrician said it's more common in IUGR babies. She's super tall as well, so poor kids legs had no where to go. She's been off the charts for length her whole life.

 

[essie0828]

I keep thinking about the movie "Forest Gump". Lol. His "special" shoes. But I've seen the braces they use and their not the big metal ones anymore. Its like a molded plastic ankle support. You can actually hide them with socks and pants .

 

[essie0828]

I'll try to post a pic of her foot later. She's sound asleep now.

 

[alaskagrown]

Thanks! I was Google-imaging leg braces and came across both the molds and the metal type. So how did they know it wasn't a hip problem? Did you have to do x-rays?

Also, I had to be monitored throughout my pregnancy because my belly was always measuring around 5 weeks small. They thought it was IUGR as well, but she came out 6.5 pounds and a petite 18.5" long. She's still still at the very bottom of the growth chart!

And also, how much do the leg braces cost and how frequently do they need to be remolded due to the child growing? I'm cringing at the thought...