Question
Hello Dr. Tsatsos,

My 6 years old daughter has just been seen for her annual and the GP agreed with me that it looks like she may have a pigeon toed condition. She simply had her walk back and forth a couple times to arrive at this conclusion. Both my daughter's feet look inward when she walks, and she walks funny too. I went online and saw that it can be anything, from a weak arch that might correct itself later, to bone problems in feet and/or in legs. Should I take her to a podiatrist or to an orthopedic surgeon? I would rather choose one as our insurance makes us pay specialist visits out of pocket. Thank you!!

Answer
This Chicago & Elmhurst Podiatrist says.......

Dear Anna,
The training difference in the foot & ankle is HUGE.To be Board Certified in Surgery of the Foot & Ankle as a Podiatrist there are more than 75 cases sent in for the exam. The orthopedic surgeon may send in a Maximum of 12 case-usually less.
The orthopedic surgeon who has done a Foot & Ankle Fellowship(not many of them out there) has equivalent foot & ankle training as a board certified podiatrist.
Go see a podiatrist who is Board Certified in Orthopedics and also deals with kids.They will be able to figure it out!
We treat these kind of walking problems all the time.
If you must see an Orthopedic Surgeon, see one who specializes in Pediatrics.
Hope This Helps
Good Luck!

Dr George Tsatsos & Svetlana Zats
Podiatrist Chicago 60618 & Elmhurst 60126 Podiatrists
Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661
AnkleNFoot.com
Runnersdoc.com
BabyFootDoc.com

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