Toe Walking.
Did you Know?
Idiopathic toe walking is a term given to healthy kids who continue to walk on their toes longer than expected. Toe walking is a variation of normal development and is often seen in children up to 18-months age as they learn to stand and walk.
The condition can persist for a number of reasons, but it is often considered an exclusionary diagnosis and for that reason it can be difficult to understand for parents and health professionals. Sometimes toe walking is due to an underlying neurological or orthopaedic issue. It is also commonly seen in Autism Spectrum disorders. A lot of the time, we don’t know why kids persist with toe walking.
Treatment options remain controversial but may include stretches, shoe inserts, splints, casting, Botox injections or just keeping an eye on it. In most cases, the toe walking will resolve without lasting impacts.
What can you do?
Some activities that may help:
Calf stretching
Balancing on one leg or walking along a line
Walking on heels only
Climbing and squatting games
Things to watch for:
Your child cannot stand with heels down,
The toe walking is on one side only,
The toe walking is causing difficulties with normal activity and learning new skills
Remember!
Families often describe the ‘rollercoaster’ of diagnosis and the difficulties with navigating treatment options.
If you are concerned, give us a call at The Spot. Physio for Kids to discuss.
