Will sitting in W position affect the child's hip joints?

Q: Does sitting in W position for children bad for their hip joints? My child has been diagnosed with autism. He is able to run and climb like normal children. He tends to sit in W position while on the floor and I need to remind him not to do so. Please advise.

A:Children who sit in W position have inward rotation of the thigh bone (femoral anteversion) which in turn promotes inward rotation of the hips joints. This is not good for the normal hip development. It should therefore be discouraged and the child be encouraged to sit cross legged. If the child has an abnormal gait or cannot sit cross legged, he/she should be examined by a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon.