Common foot & ankle concerns we treat
- Pain that limits walking, lifting, or sleep
- Stiffness, swelling, or reduced range of motion
- Sports injuries: acute or overuse
- Arthritis or post-traumatic joint changes
- Conditions other doctors couldn't resolve
In-Toeing & Out-Toeing
Children's feet that turn in or out
In-toeing and out-toeing describe childhood gait patterns where the feet turn inward or outward, almost always benign variations that resolve with growth. Same-day or next-week evaluations across eight LA-area offices.
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Board-certified surgeons and podiatrists across eight Los Angeles area neighborhoods.
Book a visitOr call (323) 264-7600
What sets LAOSS apart
- Same- or next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles-area offices
- On-site imaging; PT coordinated with your in-network provider
- Conservative-first care, surgery only when needed
- Board-certified specialists, not generalists
Key takeaways
- In-toeing and out-toeing are among the many foot & ankle conditions our specialists evaluate every day.
- Most in-toeing and out-toeing in children corrects itself with growth. Treatment is usually reassurance and follow-up; surgery is rare.
- When a procedure is the right call, we explain every option, recovery timeline, and return-to-activity milestone.
- On-site imaging at most offices and same-day appointments across eight Los Angeles-area locations.
What are in-toeing and out-toeing?
In-toeing and out-toeing describe childhood gait patterns where the feet turn inward or outward, almost always benign variations that resolve with growth. Parents usually notice it when a child starts walking or in the early school years, and it is rarely painful.
Most in-toeing and out-toeing is a normal part of growth and corrects itself over time without treatment. Special shoes, braces, and exercises have not been shown to speed this up. We examine your child to find where the twist comes from (foot, shin, or thigh), rule out other causes, and recheck as they grow. Surgery is reserved for the few older children with a severe twist that limits function.
Below, we walk through the anatomy involved, the symptoms and causes we most often see, how we diagnose in-toeing and out-toeing, and the full range of treatment options, from the simplest to the most involved.
Inside the foot & ankle.
The foot and ankle have 26 bones, more than 30 joints, and over 100 ligaments and tendons. The plantar fascia spans the bottom of the foot, the Achilles tendon anchors the calf to the heel, and the ankle is a hinge that handles every step you take. Most foot and ankle problems trace back to overload, alignment, or footwear that doesn't match the way your foot is built.
Symptoms and causes of in-toeing and out-toeing
Common symptoms
- Feet turn inward or outward when walking
- Tripping in young children
- No pain in most children
- Family or parent concern about gait appearance
Common causes
- Metatarsus adductus (curved foot, infants)
- Internal tibial torsion (toddlers)
- Femoral anteversion (early school-age children)
- External tibial torsion or flat feet (out-toeing)
How we diagnose in-toeing and out-toeing
You want answers, fast, and we're built to give them. Most patients leave their first LAOSS visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan, not another referral chain.
Here's what your initial visit for in-toeing and out-toeing typically looks like:
- Detailed history: when it started, what makes it better or worse, what you've already tried
- Focused exam of the hips, legs, and feet: how your child walks and where the twist comes from
- Imaging only when needed: X-rays are taken only if the exam suggests another cause
- A written plan with options ranging from conservative care to surgical procedures, in plain English
Schedule your evaluation at the LAOSS office nearest you.
How we treat in-toeing and out-toeing at LAOSS
Once we've confirmed the diagnosis, the next step is matching the right treatment to your situation. We start with the least-invasive option that fits, and escalate only when it doesn't.
Conservative care
Step 1Conservative care first
Most children need only an exam, reassurance, and rechecks as they grow.
- Exam to find the source of the twist: foot, shin, or thigh
- Reassurance and rechecks as your child grows
- Casting for a stiff, curved foot (metatarsus adductus) in infants
- X-rays only when the exam suggests another cause
Surgical care
RarelyWhen surgery is considered
Surgery is rare and is only considered once growth has had time to correct the twist.
- Rotational osteotomy for a severe twist that limits function in an older child
- Treatment of an underlying condition when one is found
Why experience matters.
Why experience matters
Foot & ankle care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you actually feel six months later.
- Precise diagnosis from imaging and exam
- Conservative-first care that avoids unnecessary surgery
- Surgical technique refined over thousands of cases
- On-site imaging + coordinated PT through your in-network provider
The LAOSS approach
Our foot & ankle specialists move stepwise: start with the least-invasive option that fits your situation, escalate only when it doesn't.
- Same-day imaging at most offices
- PT coordinated in your insurance network
- Board-certified surgeons performing the procedures themselves
- Direct access to your specialist between visits
Am I a candidate?
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a foot & ankle specialist is the next step.
You may be a candidate if
These signs typically point toward an in-person evaluation with a foot & ankle specialist.
- Pain or stiffness in the foot & ankle that lasts more than a few days
- Swelling, instability, or noticeable change in function
- Symptoms that limit walking, lifting, sleep, or work
- Previous treatment that didn't fully resolve the problem
- Imaging or exam findings that suggest an underlying issue
What evaluation includes
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
- Detailed history: onset, mechanism, what makes it better or worse
- Hands-on exam focused on the affected joint or region
- On-site imaging at most offices (X-ray, ultrasound)
- Clear plan with options ranging from conservative to surgical
- Same-day or next-day scheduling for any follow-up tests
ImportantHave your child seen promptly for a new limp, pain, or swelling, for a twist that affects only one leg or is getting worse, or for the loss of skills they had already learned.
Your foot & ankle recovery roadmap.
Recovery is rarely a straight line, but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.
- Days 0 to 14
Right after care
In the first two weeks we focus on protecting the foot & ankle, calming inflammation, and restoring basic motion.
- Activity modification with clear do/don't guidance
- Ice, elevation, and pain control as needed
- Gentle range-of-motion within safe limits
- Follow-up scheduled to track healing
- Weeks 2 to 8
Rehabilitation
Targeted physical therapy rebuilds strength, mobility, and confidence in the foot & ankle.
- Progressive strengthening and neuromuscular work
- Manual therapy and soft-tissue treatment
- Sport- or job-specific movement re-training
- Coordinated PT through your in-network provider
- Months 2+
Long-term care
Once function is restored, the focus shifts to keeping you there, and catching any recurrence early.
- Return-to-activity plan with measured benchmarks
- Home program tailored to your sport or job
- Maintenance visits or imaging if symptoms change
- Direct line back to your specialist if needed
Risks & considerations
What to weigh before you decide.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient. Informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
General considerations
Every orthopedic intervention carries a small set of standard risks. We screen, prepare, and monitor for these on every patient.
- Infection (rare with modern technique and prophylaxis)
- Bleeding or bruising at the treatment site
- Reaction to anesthesia or medications
- Need for additional procedures in some cases
Foot and ankle considerations
Some risks are tied to the structures we're treating in the foot & ankle. We discuss these in detail at your visit so you can weigh them against the benefits.
- Temporary stiffness or weakness during recovery
- Incomplete pain relief in a small percentage of cases
- Nerve or vessel irritation near the treatment area
- Need for follow-up therapy to fully restore function
Meet our foot & ankle doctors in the Greater Los Angeles area
At LAOSS, our foot & ankle specialists are board-certified and treat these problems every day. From minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to joint replacement and arthritis management, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. We have cared for Los Angeles patients since 2007, with one goal for each: less pain, better movement, and a return to the activities you love.
Reliable answers about in-toeing and out-toeing start here
If the way your child walks worries you, an exam can give you a clear answer. With same- or next-day appointments at multiple Los Angeles locations, you'll never wait weeks or months for answers. The same team handles your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Whether your child needs reassurance, rechecks as they grow, or further testing, we plan it with you and explain each step.
Call or schedule online today to see a foot & ankle specialist in Los Angeles.
Common in-toeing and out-toeing questions
- We start with a focused orthopedic exam and detailed history. X-rays are usually not needed and are ordered only when the exam suggests another cause. Most patients leave the first visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan.
Don't wait on pain.
Book a visit with a foot & ankle specialist at any of our eight Los Angeles-area offices.
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21 specialists · 8 offices
Greater Los Angeles
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