Question
James
My daughters (14) legs are just like mine, short, chubby and pigeon toed! Running is not a big problem, in fact in some ways like running trails together at the lake and stopping quickly it helps!
She has still been able to make the 'A' soccer team. It takes effort to turn her feet outwards to use the inside for passing a soccer ball, so for  that reason she just dribbles outside foot. Her soccer coach coach insists she uses inside and out equally, but my daughter is frustrated it is physically difficult to do. He also says she is too heavy and slow-which she is but once again our family is short and stocky and all a bit overweight. We are built more like sprinters than marathoners! I dont think its a big deal, she should learn to dribble and run and play the best way she can with what she has, and once she is confident dribbling outside toe she can work on inside. She can keep up with the other kids just fine and helps out and can even score goals. I think coach is being too technical. He seems to think he can change her somehow. He has good intentions, but I think you have to play the hand God dealt you. I am sure in poor countries there are lots of kids that became good runners or atheletes, without coaches, that didnt have perfect physiques.
All I can think of is losing weight, which is tough for her slow metabolism  but with a low fat diet is slowly happening, and maybe some exercise for her legs or even special insoles? Your thoughts?

Answer
Dear Susan,

Thank you for your question.

I'm sorry not to have responded to you sooner, however, my office was impacted by Sandy, including the loss of computer hardware, and I am only now able to begin accessing e-mail and other elements of daily life we take so much for granted.

I will make every effort to reply to you in the coming days.  I hope you understand.

Sincerely,
James W. Healey, DC