In the vast majority of cases, however, persistent toe walking is “idiopathic,” which means
that the exact cause is not known
. Older children who continue to toe walk may do so simply out of habit or because the muscles and tendons in their calves have become tighter over time.
What causes idiopathic toe walking?
Toe-walking may be caused by
cerebral palsy
, congenital contracture of the Achilles tendon or paralytic muscular disorders such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Idiopathic toe-walking may be associated with developmental disorders such as autism or other myopathic or neuropathic disorders.
How do you treat idiopathic toe walking?
- Physical therapy. Gentle stretching of the leg and foot muscles might improve your child’s gait.
- Leg braces or splints. Sometimes these help promote a normal gait.
- Serial casting. …
- OnabotulinumtoxinA. …
- Surgery.
When should I worry about 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: Muscle stiffness, especially in the legs or
ankles
.
Frequent stumbling or
general incoordination.
What is idiopathic toe?
Idiopathic toe walking, sometimes referred to as habitual or behavioral, occurs
when a child walks on the balls of their feet for an unknown reason
. This term applies to toe walking in a child who has been evaluated by their doctor and no medical reason has been identified.
Why does my 7 year old walk on his tiptoes?
It is common for children of 10-18 months to walk on tip toes when
they are learning to walk as it can help with their balance
. Some children can continue this up to the age of 6-7 years where it usually resolves naturally, however a small number of children may continue to walk this way as they get older.
What does toe walking indicate?
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: A short Achilles tendon. This tendon links the lower leg muscles to the back of the heel bone. If it’s too short, it can prevent the heel from touching the ground.
What happens if toe walking goes untreated?
Long-term effects of toe walking, if left untreated
Many children who consistently walk on their tip-toes since establishing independent ambulation, may
develop foot deformities as early as
the age of four. These children may demonstrate ankle range of motion restrictions, impaired balance and poor postural alignment.
Is toe walking good?
“
You consume more energy when you
walk on the balls of your feet or your toes than when you walk heels-first,” Carrier says. Compared with heels-first walkers, those stepping first on the balls of their feet used 53 percent more energy, and those stepping toes-first expended 83 percent more energy.
Is toe walking bad for you?
The following are negative consequences of toe walking:
Poor balance reactions, frequent falling
.
Muscle imbalances
“up the chain” meaning decreased hip or core strength due to the different postural alignment. Difficulty with body mechanics including squatting or performing stairs, secondary to tight calve muscles.
Is toe walking neurological?
unilateral involvement, and upper or lower motor neuron (UMN, LMN) signs on exam. Results showed 108 children had a
neurological
etiology for toe walking.
How do I stop my child from walking on his toes?
- Marching on the spot. Have your child bring their knees up high and then land with a flat foot.
- Walking uphill.
- Walking on uneven surfaces such as in a playground or sand.
- Walking on the heels only. Keep the toes off the ground at all times.
- Practicing squats.
Is occasional tip toe walking normal?
Most
children toe walk occasionally when they’re cruising around a room
(by holding on to furniture), especially if they’re on a bare floor. Some kids keep toe walking, off and on, just for fun. Toe walking out of habit, also known as idiopathic toe walking, sometimes runs in families.
How do you fix idiopathic toe walking in adults?
A special brace known as an
ankle-foot orthosis (AFO)
can help to stretch the muscles and tendons in the ankles. This type of brace is usually worn for a longer period of time than leg cast. Botox injections in the legs can help to weaken overactive and tight leg muscles if these are causing the toe walking.
How common is idiopathic toe walking?
Idiopathic Toe Walking (ITW) is present in children older than 3 years of age still walking on their toes without signs of neurological, orthopaedic or psychiatric diseases. ITW has been estimated to occur
in 7% to 24% of the childhood population
.
How do I get my 7 year old to stop walking on his toes?
Children who simply toe walk out of habit
do not require treatment
. They usually outgrow the habit eventually. However, if your pediatric podiatrist determines a physical issue is causing the toe walking, treatment may include: Physical therapy exercises to strengthen and stretch muscles in the legs and feet.
