Son Is Bow Legged

My daughter also started walking early (9.5 mths)I was worried because I thought one of her feet pointed in when she walked and she has flat feet, anyway, the doctor said to me when I asked him about it that they or any good ped doc would have to wait until she was AT LEAST 2 years old before anything could really be done because bones are still developing, muscles, etc, and that it could correct itself, I got several opinions on the matter and all said the same thing. When me and my husband talked about it he said that he would never allow a doc to try to correct it in any way unless medicially necessary (he had to correct his and he says that all he can remember about it is the extreme pain)

My Daughter is the same exact way. She's 2 1/2 now and still walks a little pigeon toed, but she has grown out of it. You could go for a second opinion but they are going to tell you the same thing. They no longer believe in leg braces and stuff. Trust me i know how you feel i went through the same thing with jaylynn (my Daughter) and eventually she just grew out of it. Still trips over her own feet sometimes but she's no where near as bad as she used to be. Hope this helps. Good Luck!

Do NOT feel like you're betraying your doctor! You know your son best and if you think there is a problem you should get a second opinion. I taught special ed for 4 years and I worked very closely with the Occupational and Physical therapists and they would both want to look at your son. If his bow leggedness is effects his ability to walk, then it's a problem. (at least that's what they always told me). There are things that they can do to help him. Follow your heart. He's your son. You know what he needs, and if the doctor says anything, tell her you just needed a second opinion. She should understand. I hope this helps!

My daughter's left foot was turned in pretty badly when she was a baby. She is 3 now and it has nearly corrected itself. She used to fall all the time and could not run at all. But, our doctor told us to just keep sturdy shoes on her as much as possible and let her play. It improved so slowly that we barely noticed the changes until one day, I realized she was running without any trouble. She just needed a couple years of running around to build the muscles in her legs and overcome it. I was incredibly worried when she was 1-2 years old and we took her to a specialist, they did xrays and scans and such and said that she just needed time and to bring her back in a year of it was markedly worse. She didnt need to go back.

I would give it a little more time and make sure to be putting sturdy shoes on as much as you can.

Don't feel like you are betraying your doctor, you just want another opinion to ease your own mind. If you asked two different people how you looked in a sweater would you feel you were betraying the first one you asked? This is far more important nad long lasting than a sweater. Good Luck.

E.,
Oh, by all means get a second opinion! You are not betraying your doctor, you are educating yourself. She may be right, he is young and medical opinions have changed on things like that. 20-30 years ago he would have been in big combersome braces right off the bat. But today they have found that letting natural development take it's course can self correct some things. But not all! Get your second opinion, and a third as well until YOU are comfortable.
good luck,
S.

I think you are doing the right thing getting a second opinion. No matter how much you like your doctor, if you don't feel that she is taking your concerns seriously then you have to take another course of action. You only loyalty should be to your child! It may very well be nothing to worry about at this time but until someone expalins this to you in a way that satisfies you that waiting is the right thing to do you have to pursue it. Best of luck to you and your son!

I would wait it out a bit longer. Your ped. is very much so correct. Most babies bow-leggedness and pigeon-toeness usually corrects it self. My son too was bow-legged and pigeon-toe. Hes still slightly pigeon-toed, but compared to what it was its nothing near a concern. By people in my family being bow-legged, like my dad for example, I was sure my son was going to be. He started walking around 8 1/2 months and when he was a little over 2 it was pretty much straightened out. As they go along and get stronger, it helps build their muscles and bones. So I would give it a little longer. If by almost 2 you haven't noticed more change, I would then be concerned.

Getting a second opinion is more wise than betrayal. It's good that you trust her and feel comfortable with her diagnosis but the bottom line is Vance and his overall health. If your own instincts tell you there is something more to it see another doctor. Toddlers do take a while to get their footing so it can just as well be building strength and confidence. Talk to your mother and mother in law as well to check if you, yous spouse or another family member had this issue as in infant.

Take your son to a different dr. You would not be betraying her. I have heard of kids born like that. in fact i think my ex husband sister when she was born was like that and she was in a cast for while to straighten out legs. Not sure what type of dr you have taken her too but if it was not childrens orthopdic then call them see what they say. If it is them who you go to then call another dr who does small children. I would do this soon so that in furture your child does not have more problems.
D.

Don't worry about your doctor's feelings, you need to worry about your son before it gets to be too late to correct the problems. Good luck and God Bless

Don't worry about offending your physician, your son is more important. I would check with an orthopedic doctor for a second opinion but I had a girlfriend who's son was terribly bowlegged and pigeon toed. He was too heavy when he was little but they kept a close eye on him and he eventually did outgrow it. I wouldn't say he's bowlegged now but he's still a bit pigeon toed. A seocnd opinion wouldn't hurt or maybe even a third. Good luck

Hi Eugina,
I just signed up with mamasource so I apologize if this is coming too late but wanted to reply just incase it isn't.
Don't feel bad at all. I tell myself that he is my son and if I don't look out for him nobody else will. It never hurts to get a second opinion. You have that right. If you dont and something is wrong that could have been corrected you would have a hard time forgiving yourself.
I hope this helps you and I hope your son gets better.
S.

I am bow legged in both my legs I have never had a problem. But as a mom I would see another Dr. if I was as worried as you are about this.I wouldnt worrie about betraying her your a mom and its your job to make sure your child/children are ok.

My siter was bow legged also. Dr. Brett Blitzstein (Chiropractor who does non-cracking method) completely helped her. For all patients he has standard pay only what you can afford-no questions asked. He is great with children. The treatment is more like a massage. ###-###-####

I would definitely try and make an appointment to see a specialist at childrens hospital, if you are that worried about his legs and have them tell you what if anything is needed to help. Don't even think twice about offending your Dr. I would do it in a heartbeat, afterall you are the parent.

I think you need to get a second opinion anytime your gut instinct is telling you something different than what a doctor is telling you. Most time doctors try and "buy" time for things to heal themselves or give your insurance a break on testing costs instead of catching something extremely early or prevention. I feel prevention is what I would rather but insurance companies don't think in that manner. Atleast mine does not. If a child has surgery they heal a lot faster than an adult.

Plus you have to remember that medical practice is exactly that. A practice. They have not dealt with one specific thing numerous times unless they have years of experience in a specialty for them to be considered a specialist. Now a days they have so many different technical diagnosis that doctors Have to continue their education to keep up on every aspect is a lot. To send a referral or order a test is nothing more than a piece of paper most times and you get it covered by insurance. To ease your mind mostly and maybe you would learn how to wear better support shoes, corrective shoes or teach the child through physical therapy a better method of walking etc. Each situation is different but you get my idea.

I always remind myself that not all doctors were straight A students. They make mistakes in the world just like everyone else. That is why they have malpractice insurance.

Good luck and Happy Holidays!

E.,

Have you taken him to an orthopedic surgeon? I am now 36, but was born with hip dysplasia...sounds like the same symptoms...I had to wear leg braces for three years while growing up to correct the problem...have him evaluated...hope it helps

K.

My son is the same way and his ped told usthe same thing. He had a name for it (I dont remember what it was called) but said that his legs will get better with time. He used to fall all the time, too due to this but as he is getting older he doesnt fall much at all anymore (unless he's not paying attention, lol). He's still bow-legged but he walks without much problem now. (he turned 2 in October)

my daughter zuri is bull legged and pigeon toed brought her to a orothopedic pediatrician they took xray of legs.Her hips are fine but the dr.said he would do braces, if i like! she will now be turning 2 and is braceable.There are braces out there now that they can run in ect. Her legs are not straight and severely pigeon toed because legs are twisted.So its called blounts.But drs. do brace but not until they are 2yrs of age why wait, at least you can start putting braces on now so that way the problem can be corrected early.zuri will have her braces in about 2 weeks and only wear them for about 4 hours out of the day not at night, she will deal with them,whats the worst that can happen her legs go straight and pigeon toes corrected.granted legs have straighten in the last 6 months but this is not something i will take a gamble at.My Dr. gordon in hibbing mn at the duluth clinic in hibbing he is AMAZING!!!!!!!