Femoral anteversion and torsion
When intoeing starts in early childhood, it is most frequently due to medial femoral torsion.
Femoral anteversion is due to a twist in the femur close to the hip joint. It is less noticeable at a young age and usually comes to the parents attention around 4 to 6 years of age. The child will stand with knees and toes pointing inward. This too corrects on its own. Children with femoral anteversion tend to sit in the W position - with their knees bent and the feet to the side. Since this position reinforces the femoral anteversion it should be discouraged.
Femoral torsion :
- Is twice as common in girls than boys
- Almost always affects both legs equally
- Is believed to be inherited, to some degree
- Sometimes causes an abnormal gait and difficulty running
Learn more about intoeing.