Children run, tumble, and occasionally trip. But when your child seems to catch their toes constantly, falls more often than other children their age, or avoids activities because they feel unsteady, it may be worth looking more closely at how their feet and legs move.

At Syracuse Podiatry in East Syracuse, we evaluate foot and ankle concerns in children, including issues that may affect gait, balance, and comfort.

Could In-Toeing Be Causing Tripping?

One possible explanation is in-toeing, sometimes described as walking “pigeon-toed.” The feet turn inward rather than pointing straight ahead, which may make a child more likely to catch one foot against the other.

In-toeing can originate in the feet, lower legs, or hips. In many children, it improves naturally as they grow. However, an evaluation may be appropriate when the turning is severe, affects only one side, causes pain, or interferes with normal activities.

What Other Foot Problems May Affect Walking?

Tripping does not always come from in-toeing. Other possible contributors include:

• Flat feet
• Muscle weakness or tightness
• Differences in leg length
• Foot or ankle pain
• Shoes that are too large, small, stiff, or worn
• A tendency to walk on the toes
• Fatigue after increased activity

Children do not always describe discomfort clearly. Instead, they may ask to be carried, stop participating in sports, remove their shoes frequently, or complain that their legs feel tired.

When Should Parents Schedule an Evaluation?

Mention frequent tripping to a healthcare provider if it continues, worsens, or occurs with pain, limping, weakness, swelling, or developmental concerns. A sudden change in the way a child walks should also be evaluated.

A podiatric examination may include observing the child standing and walking, checking joint movement and muscle strength, reviewing shoe wear, and examining the alignment of the feet and legs. Treatment is not necessary for every variation in a child’s gait. When care is recommended, it depends on the cause and may involve monitoring, footwear changes, stretching, physical therapy, or orthotics.

Your child does not have to walk in a perfectly straight line to be healthy. Still, repeated falls or difficulty keeping up deserve attention. Contact Syracuse Podiatry for a professional evaluation for your child. Our podiatrists, Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico, Dr. Donal M. Erickson, Dr. Keith Sherman, and Dr. Colin Kalabanka, can provide guidance and support.