“Piedi a papera": disinformazione, anatomia e clinica

Out-toeing gait in children, commonly referred to by parents as “duck feet,” is a very frequent reason for paediatric consultation. This expression often leads to the suspicion of a foot problem, while in most cases the condition is benign and related to normal growth. In everyday clinical practice, out-toeing is usually the result of a physiological variation in femoral torsion that tends to resolve spontaneously over time. The foot, which is often blamed, is generally structurally normal and simply adapts distally. Misinterpretation may lead to unnecessary concern and inappropriate treatment. The article offers a practical and straightforward approach to out-toeing gait in childhood and aims to help clinicians distinguish normal variants from conditions that deserve further evaluation. In most children, careful observation over time and clear communication with parents are the most effective strategies.