It is not uncommon to notice that your infant has bowed legs—or "pigeon toes." However, if you continue to notice bowed legs throughout toddler-hood, you may need to take action. It may sound like a scary ordeal, but usually the symptoms of bowed legs will disappear with proper treatment.

Use these four tips, along with visiting your pediatrician, to help fight bowed legs:

1. Wear Proper Shoes

At a young age, it is possible to reverse the signs of bowed legs with proper footwear. Corrective shoes and orthotic inserts can help change the way your child is positioned when standing, which will help correct and straighten out the signs of bowed legs.

If your child needs corrective footwear, make sure you purchase the right kind. Your pediatrician, or orthopedic specialist, will let you know whether your child needs reverse lasts, torque heels, or shoe lifts.  

2. Utilize Exercises

Exercise is another way to reverse bowing in your child's legs. Exercises that focus on the legs, feet, and back are the most effective. Yoga and daily stretching may also help your child's legs become straighter. In more severe cases, you may need to limit or prevent your child from walking.

Ask your pediatrician about exercises that may help to straighten your child's legs. Have the doctor show you, and your child, how to perform the exercise. Repeat it daily until you see results.

3. Braces and Massage

In more severe cases of bowed legs, your child may need to wear a brace on one or both legs. The brace will allow your child to walk more easily by reducing the stress on the legs. Some braces also provide corrective properties, which help to straighten the leg slowly over time.

Massage is another technique that can help fight the symptoms of bowed legs. A physical therapist will use deep tissue and therapeutic massages to relax the muscles in the legs and feet, which may help to straighten the leg.

4. Eat Healthy and Maintain Weight

It is important to maintain your child's health and weight during their early years, especially if they have bowed legs; as bowed legs can be caused—or worsened—by nutrient deficiencies. In addition, overweight children may experience worse symptoms of their bowed legs—and it is more difficult to treat bowed leg disorders in those who carry extra weight.

Even if your child cannot run or walk normally, it is important to ensure they get adequate exercise. Swimming and frequent short walks are ideal exercises for children with limited mobility. In addition, make sure your child is getting enough nutrients by feeding them healthy food and supplementing with a daily vitamin.

Bowed legs can cause long-term issues with walking, running, and playing sports. If you notice that your child isn't walking normally, or has the appearance of bowed legs, use these five tips—along with the advice from your pediatrician—to help reverse the symptoms.

Talk to experts like Orthopaedic Associates Of Osceola for more information.

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