Anyone Have a Child Who 'Toe Walks'?

both my kids were toe walkers but it only seemed to happen when they had there shoes off. try puting shoes on him and see if he walks normal.

my daughter does this occasionally as well and our pediatrician said they usually see kids grow out of it around age 5 but have seen kids later on at ages 6-8 stop. When we had orthopedics look at her the head orthopedic surgeon had bad bedside manner and basically told us there's nothing he can do that she would grow out of it, I mean he didnt even watch her walk so we're def. not going back to that guy. But anyways, our daughter's PT is fitting her for special insoles in her shoes called "hot dogs" she believes this will help her. See our daughter sits in the "W" position alot and she has what is called forefoot adductus so that is why she toe walks plus she needs the insoles to lift her arch a little.

I would definately get the elvaluation done as soon as possible. My daughter does it but only sometimes. I looked into it when she first started to walk because it concerned me. She eventually stopped doing it all the time but I found alot of posts from people who's kids still did it until 6-8 years old. They were teased alot and had problems with running and stuff like that. It could just be his Achilles tendons are short from walking like this for so long. If that's all it is they will have you do streching excercises for a while sometimes up to a few yrs. and if that doesnt work they do surgery to lenghten the tendon. Some kids get braces to try, sometimes they put the kids in casts to try and correct toe walking problems. I just want you to know that some kids don't grow out of it for years and go through alot of troubles because of it. Hope this helps a little.

Have a great week!!
W.

R.,
that's funny you said that because my son does the same thing but he's perfectly healthy. I thought it was odd but never thought it could be related to something else. He's 2 now so i don't know if i should be concerned. Let me know if you find out anymore info on the subject.
Thanks
L.

Because of side effects from medication my son (age 3) was on, he didn't walk for 6 or 7 weeks. When he started to walk again he toe walked, so his dr had him see a pt. Apparently his calf muscle shortened because it wasn't being used. She explained that a lot of times the toe walking, if caught early enough, can be corrected with exercises. Otherwise, braces, casts or surgery would be necessary. He has streching and toning exercises to do and he sees a pt once a week. He is doing more heel to to walking now. I recommend getting your son evaluated as soon as possible to determine the reason for the toe walking and also the best course of action to correct it. Good luck.

Hi, I used to walk on my toes all the time, my daughter, who is 4 now, walked on her toes for a while also. We are both perfectly normal. Keep your eye out, and see if he walks only on his toes or just when maybe his feet are cold or it's wet or what have you.

Best of luck.

L.

Autistic kids toe walk too. Conversely, my 5 year old daughter toe walks but only because my autistic 8 year old still does.

Bottom line: don't panic. Can be something significant. Might be nothing. Freaking will serve no greater good.

Get a second opinion. Get a third one if you feel you need it. One dr's opinion doesn't make a definite diagnosis.

As a pre-school teacher this is something I would red-flag to a parent. Toe walking can be a sign of a more serious problem- possibly autism or some sort of sensory sensitivity. Your ped. is right to request an eval as this may or may not be something serious. It certainly can't hurt to have him looked at- if he does need PT then at least you'll get the help he needs before it causes damage to his hips or other joints.
I have a close friend whose son toe-walked and he has had to wear braces for the last 3 years to help stretch out his tendons. He also has to go to PT to help with it.
It is best to get the eval done as soon as possible.
Good Luck!
R.

R.

I agree with the others to get him evaluated just in case. It would not hurt to. Are there other issues along with the toe walking? Like delayed walking, does not jump, run like kids his age, troubles climbing up stairs? PT can help. When you see him do that, just remind him not to.

My daughter's neurologist thinks she has CP. Can you send me the link about toe walkers could have CP. My daughter is a toe walker. I have not seen that symptom. It could help us get that diagnosis that we need.

Thanks

Hi R.,
I have friends that went through this same thing. Their daughter is now 11 and she has had to have 2 surgeries already to correct the damage that was done because she walked on her toes constantly. When she was growing up, it was cute at first and then they never really addressed that she was still doing it as they didn't think it was a big deal. Now, she can't put her foot (either of them) down completely because the tendons are too tight. She has had the surgeries and will probably need more as well as physical theraphy to correct the damage. I would recommend that you talk to your doctor again and see if he has any actual recommendations on how to correct this now. Perhaps a brace for a short time? Or games that you play with your son that require him to put his foot flat - jumping, hop scotch (hard to be on your toes when you jump from one spot to another). Swimming? I'm not sure. But I think you should try to correct now rather than wait to see if he'll grow out of it.

Good luck

My daughter does this. She is 21 months and I never thought much about it until I read your post. Thanks....now I nervous. Is there an age when they should stop this I also noticed my daughter can be wobbly at times and I thought it was just an age thing. Please send me any info you have. www.livegreeneasy.com