• Exercises to stretch tight hip muscles so that the child can stand on one leg and keep the knee facing forwards
• Balance exercises to improve the child's ability to keep the pelvis steady and the knee facing forwards when standing on one leg.
• Exercises to improve the child's ability to control the thigh and foot so that they face forwards when the leg is lifted forwards when walking. 

For more details see: Pigeon toes, in-toeing gait, femoral anteversion and tibial torsion

Stretching exercises for tight hip muscles 

Poor flexibility in the tensor fascia lata and associated iliotibial band restrict the child's ability twist the thigh outward when the hip is fully extended.

Children may also have tightness in the hip adductor muscles - the cross legged stretching exercises should stretch these muscles. 

How and when to stretch

Prone extension hip and back stretch

Bridging for stretching the hip muscles

Stretching the iliotibial band in sitting 

Cross legged sitting stretches: how and why

Forward bends sitting cross legged 

Side bends sitting cross legged 

Improving standing balance

Hip flexibility and standing on one leg

Standing on one leg challenge

Ball and stick game to improve foot muscle action 

Improving hip flexion control 

These exercises are designed to improve the child's ability to flex the hip and move the foot forwards so that it touches down on the floor with the foot facing forwards ratehr than turned inwards during the swing phase of gait. Read more 

Kicking a ball lying on the back

Stepping over obstacles 

Stepping up

Disclaimer    The content on this site is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Read more