Out-toeing is when a person walks with the toes of one or both feet pointed outward. Kids with out-toeing can run, jump, and play like other kids. It usually goes away without treatment.
Your child:
Why do kids get out-toeing? Most of the time, a slight twist in the shinbone or thighbone causes out-toeing. Before birth, the baby's bones may have twisted slightly to fit into the small space of the womb. Often these bones are still twisted when the baby is born and can twist more during different stages of growth. The twist may be noticed when a child begins to walk or at different ages as growth and changes in the legs make the out-toeing more obvious.
Sometimes if the feet are flat (without an arch), they can look turned out. Rarely, a problem with the hip bones can cause out-toeing.
Do braces or special shoes help? No. In the past, special shoes and braces were used to treat out-toeing. But doctors found that these didn't make it disappear any faster, so they're rarely used now.
How long will it take to get better? It can take years for kids to outgrow out-toeing. Some kids continue to have out-toeing as adults, but it usually doesn't cause problems or keep them from doing activities.