What Is a Gait Abnormality?

Gait Abnormality

Say: GATE ab-nor-MAL-ih-tee

Your gait is the way you walk. An abnormality is something unusual. A gait abnormality is when a kid walks in an unusual way — for instance, with the toes of each foot turned in toward each other or with the toes turned out. These problems are not painful and usually get better on their own.

Some gait abnormalities are more serious and kids may need special shoes, leg braces, casts, or surgery to help them walk more easily.