United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I have a friend in Texas who has a one year old with BPI and he is now showing signs of pigeon toeing. His PT is saying it is BPI related due to compensation. Both of our kids have the same degree of BPI and my son never had trouble with his feet or walking. Some problems with balance, but nothing such as this. She says this foot problem runs in her family. I think it is more heredity than BPI, what do you think? Thanks ahead of time for your responses.

Hi my son is 2yrs and has had trouble with walking but only with balance and holding his left foot down for extra time when walking, haven't had trouble with pigeon toeing or ever heard of it being related to BPI

I noticed on Thursday as Alyssa & I were walking to the bustop that she has her left foot, pointed in a bit. I talked to her OT that same day, she said to keep an eye between now and Tuesday and see if she is till walking that way and they can have at PT take a look at her, possibly evaluate her if need be.

Hello Everyone,
I am new to the discussion of BPI. I have a almost 10 year old with BPI. He has gone to therapy his whole life. A couple years back the therapist noticed he wasn't quite balanced and started an exercise where he stands on one foot and that foot is held by the therapist and throws a ball over head and it has really helped.

mom has always had gait problems since she began to walk - both her feet were pronated and there were other problems - all related to the bpi and to low tone, as per the therapist. We were told to get her fitted for UCBL's (orthotics) and we did - she had to get casted for them, etc. and ever since she's been wearing them (week after surgery) she has not fallen since! (she used to fall every few steps)

PT's will evaluate your child's gait to see if there are issues.

The way I understand the orthotics is that they position the foot correctly so as the child grows and the bones become more mature - they will grow in the correct positioning.. so you see you have to do this orthotic stuff early on.

-francine

Juliana has had gait issues since she started walking. She was unbalanced and practically refused to put weight on her left foot. When she first started standing we had her standing on pillows, so she would weight shift. Now, after a growth spurt, it seems that one leg might be shorter than the other...shorter one is, of course, on the bpi side. I am duck footed, and my other 3 kids tend towards duck footed-ness. Tho, they have straighter feet than I. Juliana does tend to toe-in. We just keep working on it. We are back to pillows under the knees and feet. Keep an eye out... hope it helps.