Night braces to correct pigeon toed walking?
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Anonymous
| Our DD only recently started walking on her feet at 17.5 months (she had been "walking" on her knees since 12 months but she's now finally getting around on her feet!). A physical therapist recommended night braces to correct DD's wide-stanced, slightly pigeon-toed walking, but our pediatrician disagrees saying that the studies indicate that night braces almost never correct the problem. The PT admits that this is what the studies show but she still thinks it's worth a shot because she has seen the braces actually help some kids. Does anyone have experience with using night braces on their kids? Was it successful? Was your child able to actually sleep in them? How long did your child have to wear them before you started seeing progress? Thanks so much for your help. |
Anonymous
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I'm pigeon toed and my mother put me in night braces from age 2-4. I hated them. I still remember crying each night. I couldn't get out of bed on my own while wearing them (although I'm in my 30s and maybe braces are better.) When the studies came out that there is NO CLINICAL EVIDENCE in support of braces, I really wanted to send my mother a "told you so" note. But of course I didn't.
I would only say to you: why make your poor child suffer for no gain? I'm still pigeon toed to this day. I took yoga and ballet when I was older and this did more than any stupid braces for me, in terms of just keeping me flexible, so I can reposition my feet when I want to. |
Anonymous
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I don't know how much you like your PT but I find it very irresponsible and perhaps even unethical that she didn't alert you that research doesn't suppport using night braces to correct pigeon toes. We have quite a bit of experience with various therapists for two of our kids and whenever they've wanted to try a particular approach (most notably with a listening program), they've been very clear about effifacy if the therapy isn't science based. With something like night braces which would not be cheap (assuming the cost is similar to orthodics which we have plenty of experience with) and the challenges of getting them on every night, if find it unexcusable that she would suggest it. You should at least have been informed about this so you could do your research and make an informed decision.
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Anonymous
| OP here. Thanks to the first two who responded. I obviously don't want to put my daughter through any unnecessary torture and am definitely leaning against the night braces. I'm just trying to figure out if there are any alternatives to correcting this problem. My DD walked on her knees for so long that she is now naturally inclined to have her toes point in (when you walk on your knees, your toes automatically point in) and she not only walks pigeon-toed but also sits in a high chair with toes pointed toward each other, sleeps that way, etc. I just don't want to let the problem get any worse and the night braces initially seemed like the way to nip the problem in the bud. Clearly I need to do more research before deciding. We're going to see another PT next week for another opinion, but in the mean time, if anyone else has input, I'd love to hear it. Thanks again. |
Anonymous
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OP, I'm in my 40s, a former dancer, and pigeon toed and so are my two, highly-athletic children. We all wear orthotics in our shoes. Never considered night braces for them. Our pigeon-toed gaits have never caused us problems, we're all just a little clumsy.
I wonder if your child is also hyper-mobile (double jointed), we are. Wishing you good luck in whatever you decide. |
Anonymous
OP here. Thanks to the last PP. It's comforting to know that you and your kids have thrived without turning to night braces. Yes, I think my daughter is double jointed. I'm starting to think that ballet (if she wants) is in her future! 
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Anonymous
| Hi, my daughter is slightly pidgeon-toed and we are seeing an orthopedic surgeon about this - that's a much better judge of an orthopedic condition than a PT, in my opinion. She also informed us that the research was out in children UNDER 18 MONTHS, but that over age 2, pigeon-toed walking is likely to lead to early arthritis and bad knees... our DD is only 15 mon, so we're waiting it out a bit, but have multiple follow-up scheduled already - we're seeing Dr. Tosi at Children's Hosp. I recommend you seek out an expert... Additionally, knee-walking can also lead to femoral antversion - where the thigh bones in the hips turn the wrong way... |
Anonymous
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To acknowledge that research shows no discernable impact and then to say it helps "some people" indicates a near total lack of understanding of how research works.
This PT sounds none to bright. I wouldn't be swayed by his/her nonsensical argument. |
Anonymous
| OP here. To the 15:21 poster, thanks for your advice. If the 2nd PT agrees that night braces are necessary, we'll see an orthopedic surgeon to get his medical opinion (that's who we'd have to see anyway to get the braces fitted). Hopefully, we'll be able to find some alternatives to the braces. I've heard good things about Dr. Tosi so we probably will make an appt. Thanks again. |
Anonymous
| My DD is 28 months old and started walking at 11 months. I noticed right away that she had pretty severe in-toeing and finally got approved to take her to the Orthopedist for an eval when she was 15 months old. He had hip and foot x-raye done and said that her hips were turned in more than 60% (normal is about 15%) so they were making her feet turn in as a result. He is old school (approaching 70) and says that he rarely recommends braces these days and usually prescription orthopedic shoes and exercises with a PT does the trick. DD has been in special shoes (Markell Tarso Shoe) for a year now and she is almost "fixed". I would suggest taking her to an orthopedist and asking about shoes. DD wears these shoes all day, every day. They look just like the old school shoes we all had, those leather boot-like shoes. They are a but of a pain to get off and on but she seems very comfortable in them and they have obviously done the trick. From what I hear about the braces, it can be tricky b/c a lot of kids figure out how to get them off at night so they end up not in them for very long. |
Anonymous
| 14:10 here. I'm SO glad to hear you're going to see another PT. I would also suggest, as a PP has, that you see a pediatric orthopedist to make sure there are no bone abnormalities. But, my experience is that a pediatric orthopedist isn't the end all be all. My three kids were very late walkers and were examined to rule out bone/hip abnormalities. My youngest was the first to work with a PT who recommended custom orthodics. Two and a half years later, my oldest was examined by a PT and custom orthodics recommended. My middle one doesn't need custom ones but does need inserts. Their bones are all normal but because of low muscle tone (hypotonia), they don't have adequate ankle support and were all starting to have pronounced pronation and flat feet. We don't know if they'll always have to wear orthodics but they at least have a chance to outgrow it. My whole family has chronic ankle instability and we didn't get our orthodics until well into adult hood. It's because we were working with a PT that we learned they needed these things. Good luck! |
Anonymous
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I believe it is quite normal to walk with an in toe gate during that age. My ped would not let me see an orthopedic dr because it is so common. I've been to a PT for some exercises to do at home. Also make sure your dd doesn't sit in a ww, but instead sits criss cross. I do second the orthopedic dr and maybe a different PT. I am due to see my ped for my daughter's 2 year well visit, and I plan on asking for a referral to an orthopedic dr just in case.
Here's some information from dr sears that seems to make sense. http://www.askdrsears.com/html/10/t107100.asp |
Anonymous
| I had the braces and hated them. I took them off every night. I walk normally. |
Anonymous
What's a WW? |
Anonymous
When sitting / playing in the floor they should be sitting cross leggs as opposed to having their calves outside of their thighs making a "W" shape. |