Dragging foot

Jrgnas

Hi everyone! I just want to prepare myself for my LOs doctor appointment. I would like your opinion and related story if it applies.
My LO is 13 months (my DH taking her to up coming doc app at 15 months). She isn't walking yet, which I know isn't a big deal-- she has been slow in reaching all milestones so I expected a late walker. My concern is with her foot. When she walks holding my hands her left foot often drags behind and just catches it up to the other- she doesn't take forward steps with her left. She doesn't seem to be in pain.
I feel like the doc is going to say its fine and she'll grow out of it- but if she needs braces or something I'd rather have early intervention rather than later.
Any related situations where child did grow out of it or needed intervention????? Thanks!

MrsT0514

Im of the school of though that an evaluation certainly could never hurt. It could very well be something she grows out of, but contacting your state's Early Intervention or Birth to 3 agency, is free, no dr referral is needed, and, IMO, is totally worth the small amount of time it takes to set up an evaluation for your child. A lot of times they'll come right to your house and evaluate across thw board in all areas, this way you'll know if she just needs more time, or if it something she could qualify for services to get some extra help with.

Best of luck!

Litgirl77

I agree with PP - EI is free, and sometimes it can take a little while to get evaluated. Might as well call and get the process started. I'm guessing your LO will make some progress in the mean time. In that case, the worst that happens is you call back and cancel the eval. I highly doubt there's anything wrong with your LO - is probably just a stage. But EI can't hurt. If anything, it will give you some insight as to different things you can do with her at home AND it will give you some peace of mind. There's no sense in you worrying needlessly. 

Jrgnas

Ok. Thanks ladies!

LilyPier

Coming out of lurkedom to share a similar story.

My LO was 13 months old and walking with her left foot turned out and lagging behind. Her pediatrician referred for an ankle brace and to an orthopedic doctor as a precaution.

Our appointment with the ortho came first. After an examination and xray she was diagnosed with hip dysplasia. She didn't have any of the obvious signs for this, just the out turned foot. She is not in any pain. Now she wears a hip brace and will have to have surgery down the road. She did not get an ankle brace as the ortho is confident that will resolve itself when her hip is healthy.

If I were you, I would schedule an appointment with your pediatrician earlier if possible. It could be nothing, but if you get referred to a specialist it may take awhile to actually see them.

RNmommy13

My son did the that when he was just starting to "walk " while holding our hands, by the Time he was starting to take steps on his own it wasn't there