When children are getting the hang of taking their first steps, many do so by walking on their toes or the ball of their feet. This style of walking is referred to as “toe walking,” and although it is not ideal past a certain age, it is fairly common in 1- and 2-year-olds. Here’s a closer look at the condition, what it could signal, and how it is treated.
Toe Walking in Children
As we mentioned above, toe walking is fairly common in toddlers. Children eventually kick the habit in the majority of situations, but sometimes toe walking can be the result of cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy or another nerve/muscle issue. As long as your child appears to be developing normally, there shouldn’t be much cause for concern, but you’ll want to talk to your doctor if the habit continues after the age of two. Again, this doesn’t mean there is a major issue, it’s just something that should be addressed to ensure your child’s leg muscles and tendons develop as they should.
Another reason you should speak to a doctor about your child’s toe walking habit is that the style can increase their likelihood of falling, which is something no parent needs. The appointment with the doctor will be pretty straightforward. They will begin by conducting a physical exam and asking the parents about their child’s walking habits. There’s a chance a more in-depth gait analysis will be conducted, but this is more likely after subsequent visits.
Toe Walking Treatment
If your doctor believes that toe walking is an issue, and that it’s not being caused by a muscle or nerve disorder, treatment is pretty basic. The first treatment is simply to have the parent correct the technique when they witness their child walking on their toes. Kids this age don’t realize they are walking on their toes, but they have the ability to comprehend that should walk so that their heels strike the ground if they are directed by a parent. In most instances, simply reinforcing the proper walking techniques while stopping toe walking when it is seen will break the habit.
Should your child continue to walk on their toes even after you’ve tried on multiple occasions to break the habit, physical therapy may help. Targeted stretching techniques can help develop muscles in their feet, which can strengthen the muscles used in a regular gait.
And finally, if conservative treatments fail, surgery may be necessary. This is usually only performed if an MRI reveals that the muscles or tendons in the back of the lower leg need to be lengthened. However, surgery is very rarely used to correct toe walking.
In the end, toe walking should be monitored and corrected, but it shouldn’t be a major concern at the outset, as many children go through this when they’re learning to walk and move. Talk to a foot specialist if you have concerns about your child’s toe walking habits.