When is toe walking a concern

A majority of children will stop toe walking on their own without intervention. Physical therapy, bracing and casting are used to treat toe walking, with surgical procedures available if these methods are unsuccessful. Toe walking is when a child walks on the toes or ball of the foot without the heel or other parts of the foot coming in contact with the floor. Sometimes there is an underlying condition that can cause a child to walk on the toes, but other times there is not. Children who persistently toe walk may develop tightness in their ankles and benefit from treatments that stretch the calf muscle.

Children should also be assessed for any neurologic abnormalities that could be contributing to the toe walking. Sometimes a child can be found to have a muscle tone imbalance or neurological finding that prompts further evaluation for an underlying cause of the toe walking. Toe walking on its own is usually not a cause for concern, especially if a child is otherwise growing and developing normally. If toe walking occurs in addition to any of the following, consult a pediatrician:.

See what physical therapy is like at our practice:. Note: This blog post is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used to replace or contradict the advice or diagnosis or trained medical or developmental professionals. What is Tactile Defensiveness? Tactile defensiveness refers to the reactions or aversive responses that may occur for those sensitive to touch. Someone may experience a. As parents, we all want to ensure that our children are meeting crucial developmental milestones.

Use this tool to see if your child is on the right track. February 23, What Is Toe Walking? Is It Normal? A lateral pelvic tilt is when one hip is higher than the other. Learn about five exercises that can help with this condition. Enthesopathy refers to pain and inflammation around your joints. This includes your wrists, knees, and ankles. Here's how to recognize and treat it. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Toe walking causes. Is toe walking a symptom of autism?

Toe walking in adults. Diagnosing the cause of toe walking. How to stop toe walking. Read this next. Ball of Foot Pain. Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Kids who continue toe walking beyond the toddler years often do so out of habit. As long as your child is growing and developing normally, toe walking is unlikely to be a cause for concern.

Toe walking sometimes can result from certain conditions, including cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and autism spectrum disorder. If your child is still toe walking after age 2, talk to your doctor about it. Make an appointment sooner if your child also has tight leg muscles, stiffness in the Achilles tendon or a lack of muscle coordination. Typically, toe walking is a habit that develops when a child learns to walk. In a few cases, toe walking is caused by an underlying condition, such as:.

Persistent toe walking can increase a child's risk of falling.