Main Campus: Chesterfield, MO 63017 | 
Metatarsus adductus
Metatarsus varus; Forefoot varus
Metatarsus adductus is a foot deformity. The bones in the front half of the foot bend or turn in toward the side of the big toe.
Causes
Metatarsus adductus is thought to be caused by the infant's position inside the womb. Risks may include:
- The baby's bottom was pointed down in the womb (breech position).
-
The mother had a condition called oligohydramnios, in which she did not produce enough
amniotic fluid
.
Amniotic fluid
Amniotic fluid is a clear, slightly yellowish liquid that surrounds the unborn baby (fetus) during pregnancy. It is contained in the amniotic sac....
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article
There may also be a family history of the condition.
Metatarsus adductus is a fairly common problem. It is one of the reasons why people develop "in-toeing."
Newborns with metatarsus adductus may also have a problem called developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). This allows the thigh bone slips out of the hip socket.
Symptoms
The front of the foot is bent or angled in toward the middle of the foot. The back of the foot and the ankles are normal. About half of children with metatarsus adductus have these changes in both feet.
(Club foot is a different problem. The foot is pointed down and the ankle is turned in.)
Exams and Tests
Metatarsus adductus can be diagnosed with a physical exam .
Physical exam
During a physical examination, a health care provider studies your body to determine if you do or do not have a physical problem. A physical examinat...
A careful exam of the hip should also be done to rule out other causes of the problem.
Treatment
Treatment is rarely needed for metatarsus adductus. In most children, the problem corrects itself as they use their feet normally.
In cases where treatment is being considered, the determination will depend on how rigid the foot is when the health care provider tries to straighten it. If the foot is very flexible and easy to straighten or move in the other direction, no treatment may be needed. The child will be checked regularly.
If the problem does not improve or your child's foot is not flexible enough, other treatments will be tried:
- Stretching exercises may be needed. These are done if the foot can be easily moved into a normal position. The family will be taught how to do these exercises at home.
- Your child may need to wear a splint or special shoes, called reverse-last shoes, for most of the day. These shoes hold the foot in the correct position.
Rarely, your child will need to have a cast on the foot and leg. Casts work best if they are put on before your child is 8 months old. The casts will probably be changed every 1 to 2 weeks.
Surgery is rarely needed. Most of the time, your provider will delay surgery until your child is between 4 and 6 years old.
A pediatric orthopedic surgeon should be involved in treating more severe deformities.
Outlook (Prognosis)
The outcome is almost always excellent. Almost all children will have a foot that works.
Possible Complications
A small number of infants with metatarsus adductus may have developmental dislocation of the hip .
Dislocation of the hip
Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a dislocation of the hip joint that is present at birth. The condition is found in babies or young child...
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your provider if you are concerned about the appearance or flexibility of your infant's feet.
References
Kelly DM. Congenital anomalies of the lower extremity. In: Canale ST, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics . 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Mosby; 2013:chap 29.
Winell JJ, Davidson RS. The foot and toes. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme JW, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 674.
-
Metatarsus adductus - illustration
Metatarsus adductus is a foot deformity characterized by a sharp, inward angle of the front half of the foot. It is thought to occur as a result of the infant's position inside the uterus where the feet are bent inward at the instep. Most cases resolve spontaneously and the majority of the remainder can be corrected with simple exercises.
Metatarsus adductus
illustration
-
Metatarsus adductus - illustration
Metatarsus adductus is a foot deformity characterized by a sharp, inward angle of the front half of the foot. It is thought to occur as a result of the infant's position inside the uterus where the feet are bent inward at the instep. Most cases resolve spontaneously and the majority of the remainder can be corrected with simple exercises.
Metatarsus adductus
illustration
Review Date: 9/22/2016
Reviewed By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
