# Aftereffects of orthopedic braces **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 20, 2013, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aftereffects-of-orthopedic-braces/671737 "2013-10-20T17:54:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Gelli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f6c823/32.png) [@Gelli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gelli)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2013, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aftereffects-of-orthopedic-braces/671737/1 "2013-10-20T17:54:43Z")
I wore the metal braces as a kid, probably from the ages of 2-4, all the time, not just at night. This was in the early to mid 70’s. I’m wondering if any of you experience any hip pain now. I’m trying to find out if my hip pain is connected to being pigeon toed and/or wearing the braces. I feel it in both hips, but primarily on right side, and it is on the outside of the hip right where the femur fits into the socket. Any of you? ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2013, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aftereffects-of-orthopedic-braces/671737/2 "2013-10-20T18:00:24Z")
Welcome to the SDMB, **Gelli**. The [thread you found](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=333626) was pretty old, and many of the participants are no longer active members of our community – so I moved your post to its own thread in our IMHO forum, where discussions of medical issues take place. I’m sure people who word these corrective devices as kids will be along to talk about their experiences as adults. Again, welcome! Hope you find other conversations you’d like to participate in. **twickster** , MPSIMS moderator ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2013, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aftereffects-of-orthopedic-braces/671737/3 "2013-10-20T18:14:23Z")
do you still have the same toes you had the ages of 2-4? do you still have the same teeth you had the ages of 2-4? ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2013, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aftereffects-of-orthopedic-braces/671737/4 "2013-10-20T19:12:04Z")
I don’t know about your particular situation, but I’d think there’s a good chance that whatever condition caused you to wear the braces as a child might be responsible for the hip pain and pigeon-toedness. In other words, while the braces may have caused the hip paint, it’s also likely that the hip pain might be worse had you not worn the braces as a child. ---
**Author:** ![MissTake](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misstake/32/3189_2.png) [@MissTake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissTake)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2013, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aftereffects-of-orthopedic-braces/671737/5 "2013-10-20T22:53:30Z")
I had the shoe/bar thing from ages 1 to just past 3. I was severely pigeon toed, too. Even after I was released from the bar, I wore sturdy Buster Browns until I was around 7. I’m now 44. No hip issues. I do notice when I’m tired I will toe in a bit. The only issue ever tied to wearing braces pretty much constantly for two years was my propensity for sprained ankles. I had wrapped ankles at least every other month until I was well into my teens. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2013, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aftereffects-of-orthopedic-braces/671737/6 "2013-10-20T23:21:26Z")
I was pigeon-toed as a todder and also had to wear shoes/braces for a year or so. (Don’t remember any of it, though). I have naturally low muscle tone and some hypermobility. I don’t know if these caused/contributed to my history with in-toeing. In some people they are related. So if I were you, I’d first determine if you have any [hypermobility](http://www.riseleyphysio.com/files/pdf/Joint_Hypermobility_Syndrome_White_Paper.pdf). Hypermobility is associated with increased risk of injury and pain. If I do ever have hip problems, I’ll blame it on all the [W-sitting"](http://www.pediatricservices.com/parents/pc-22.htm) I used to do when I was a kid. But right now, my hips feel fine.