Femoral torsion is a
naturally occuring
condition in all
children that
usually goes away within the first few years of birth. All children are intoed when they are born with the
toes naturally turning outward as their bones grow. The
head and
neck of the ball joint at the top of the
femur is turned inward and slightly forward. the amount of antiversion at
birth is 40 degrees which decreases (usually) to 15 degrees at maturity.
In some children, the femoral neck antiversion doesn't decrease at all, but stays excessive in relation to age.
The most obvious
symptom is intoeing (pigeon toes), and this is usually the reason the condition is is brought to the attention of a
doctor. The condition is most often initially
diagnosed in children aged 3-8. the child will stand and walk with the
knees and
toes pointed inward. A less obvious symptom is a peculiar way of
sitting called the "W-position" (or sometimes "television position") where the child sits with the inner knees flat on the floor and their feet beside their
hips. this position should be
discouraged as it keeps the legs
rotated inward and will
worsen the condition. Children should be encouraged to sit
indian style. In some cases, this manner of sitting can be either a
cause or a symptom.
The most common treatment is corrective
shoes that will turn the legs outward, however shoes that concentrate only on the
feet or lower legs will not be as effective as the problem lies in the hips.
_
( ) The "W", or "television"
_|_ position, as best diagrammed
/ | \ with ascii
_ | _
\_/ \_/