Pigeon toe, also called metatarsus varus, metatarsus adductus, in-toe gait, intoeing or false clubfoot, is a condition which causes the toes to point inward when walking. It is most common in infants and children under two years of age and, when not the result of simple muscle weakness, normally arises from one of three underlying conditions, a twisted shin bone

Tibia

The tibia , shinbone, or shankbone is the larger and stronger of the two bones in the leg below the knee in vertebrates , and connects the knee with the ankle bones....

, an excessive retroversion (femoral head is less than 15 degrees in the angle of torsion) resulting in the twisting of the thigh bone

Femur

The femur , or thigh bone, is the most proximal bone of the leg in tetrapod vertebrates capable of walking or jumping, such as most land mammals, birds, many reptiles such as lizards, and amphibians such as frogs. In vertebrates with four legs such as dogs and horses, the femur is found only in...

 when the front part of a person's foot is turned in.

Severe cases are considered a form of clubfoot.

Treatment

Most of these conditions are self-correcting during childhood. In the worst cases surgery may be needed. Most of the time this involves lengthening the achilles tendon. Less severe treatment options for pigeon toe include keeping a child from crossing his or her legs, use of corrective shoes and casting

Orthopedic cast

An orthopedic cast, body cast or surgical cast, is a shell, frequently made from plaster, encasing a limb to hold a broken bone in place until healing is confirmed...

of the foot and lower legs, which is normally done before the child reaches 12 months of age or older.

If the pigeon toe is mild and close to the center, treatment may not be necessary.
Ballet has been used as a treatment for mild cases. Dance exercises can help to bend the legs outward.