Treating Toe Walking in Children: What to Do?
Many children’s foot conditions will correct themselves as their bodies grow into themselves and muscles and bones stretch. Some though, if they persist, need to be addressed. Toe walking is one. What is toe walking? Just that. When the child walks only on their toes and doesn’t roll the foot to the ball.
This is usually prevalent when they begin to walk at age 12 to 15 months. By the age of 2, they usually have developed a heel-toe type of walk. If toe walking persists after 3, they need to see a podiatrist. One study, though, showed that a group of children grew out of toe walking by age 5.
Causes for toe walking after 3 include:
- Cerebral palsy – condition of impaired muscle control
- Autism – a broad range of problems including socialization skills, speech, non-verbal communication and repetitive actions
- Muscle weakness
- Nervous system disorder
Conditions that indicate concern include:
- Walks on their toes all the time
- Stumbles when they walk
- Has fine motor skills that aren’t developing – buttoning a shirt
- Has a family history of cerebral palsy or autism
- Doesn’t bear full weight on a flat foot
- Born prematurely
- Avoids eye contact or has repetitive motions like rocking
It is very important to keep an eye on a child’s when walking which may or may not indicate other contributing issues, but don’t be too surprised to know that toe walking may just be that: toe walking which your child will grow out or can be successfully treated.
Treatments include physical therapy to stretch the calf muscle and tendons and the use of a cast at ages 4 or 5 to also help stretch the calf muscle. Other treatments include walking uphill, walking on uneven surfaces like a playground or sand, walking on your heels only and/or squatting. All these will stretch the foot and force it to roll and fully contact the ground.
If you’re child toe walks or you have any other foot concerns, please make an appointment with us. Dr. Brandon A. Macy, who is associated with New Jersey Children’s Foot Health Institute, will assess your feet and find the appropriate treatments to get you back to being active. Call Clark Podiatry at (732) 382-3470.
