Toe Walking

28 June, 2024
Toe walking is when a child is unable to make heel contact during the walking cycle, and stays on their toes. This blog walks you through the conditions associated with toe walking, when you should get your child assessed and what treatment involves.

Hi everyone. It’s been such a long time between blogs. It was much easier during the pandemic to find the time to write. However, watch this space as I’m determined to write more regularly.

One of our frequent referrals at Therapies For Kids is for toe walking. Children who toe walk may see therapists across all disciplines depending on the cause of their toe walking. So, this is a great topic for a transdisciplinary practice.

What is toe walking?

As the name suggests, toe walking is when a child is unable to make heel contact during the walking cycle, and stays on their toes. This is quite commonly seen in children under 2 years of age and the majority of cases are idiopathic (unknown causes).

If it is present after 2 years of age, it is considered to be persistent and there may be concerns about neurodevelopmental delays or a neuropsychiatric diagnosis.

What conditions can be associated with toe walking?

2

What do we assess?

In any child that attends TFK, we will assess their?

How do we treat toe walking?

Treatment will depend on what the therapist finds on examination and the age of the child being assessed. For a child under 2 with no other cause for concern, treatment will be conservative. Such as:

Persistent toe walking in children over 2 can cause tight muscles of the lower leg and calf in addition to frequent falls, due to poor balance and weak or overactive muscles (hypotonia and hypertonia).

 

 

When to start therapy?

Early interventions are key to addressing the habit of toe walking in young children. We would suggest an assessment by 18 months to 2 years.

At TFK, we would start with an assessment by a Physiotherapist and if there are concerns in other areas of development, your child may be referred to an Occupational Therapist and/or a Speech Language Pathologist.

 

Some early intervention strategies?

  • Manual stretch by therapist
  • Wall stretch
  • Towel stretch
  • Heel drop stretch
  • Downward dog
  • Squat to play
  • Sitting on a ball/stool with heel flat on the ground
  • Bear walking
  • Penguin walk (on heels)
  • Shoe wear
  • High rise boots
If your child’s range is very poor in their calf muscles, the therapist may suggest serial casting then different shoes. In addition to the shows, they may also suggest a wedge/orthotics.
  • Walking on different surfaces
  • Brushing to desensitise the child’s foot
  • Standing on unstable, wobbly surfaces
  • Boards/duradisc
  • Strength training of weak muscles
  • Core strengthening



When should you worry about toe walking?

What are the long term effects of toe walking?

Walking on toes can lead to:

Early detection and appropriate interventions such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy can be very helpful in addressing toe walking and associated issues. 

Funding

If your child has other conditions causing their toe walking they may be referred for NDIS funding or medicare funding.

 

 

Who to see?

If you are concerned about your child’s toe walking. Schedule a visit with your doctor/ paediatrician or physiotherapist. 

Stay safe, happy, and well,

Deb

IMG_0452-1-e1605482712103
By Debbie Evans

Executive Director

Categories
Subscribe to Therapies for Kids

Receive our news, helpful guides and special announcements directly to your inbox.

More Reading

Sensory Spaces To Help Regulate Your Child’s Emotions

Sensory spaces are areas to help a child regulate their emotions and behaviours – this blog will help you understand the different sensory needs and how you can recreate a DIY sensory space at home.
young girl in speech therapy session

Speech Sound Disorders – Articulation and Phonological Processes

How can you tell if your child has a speech sound disorder? Find out the signs of articulation and phonological disorders in this blog. Read on!

What Is Joint Attention In Children?

Joint attention is a crucial developmental milestone in children. This blog explains joint attention & some effective joint attention activities for kids.
Search

Please type in your search query below: