Toe walking

**Zana** · 25-10-2008 09:54

Does anyone have a child who toe walks?
My son is 5 now and has been toe walking since he was 2. He doesn't do it if I remind him not to so its not a physiological thing, just a bad habit. I have tried exercises with him which I still do, but he just can't kick the habit. I would like to hear of anyone elses experience with this. My sister's first child also toe walked but she grew out of it and I am hoping my son does too.
He is also sensitive to other things and I wonder if its related. I have never seen him playing in the dirt area with the other boys at kindergarten. He doesn't much like getting dirty but he has gotten a bit better with that. He will wear a band aid now whereas he used to be terrified of anything that stuck to him. He is very scared of blood, even if its not his own. He is also a little bit behind other's his age in his grasp of language but not enough for me to be worried about that.
Apart from this he's normal. He's sociable, although shy at first. He's loving, talkative and has a very active imagination.

**OneCheekyMonkey** · 25-10-2008 14:53

I toe walked for years, I would strongly encourage your child to walk correctly as I now have very short, often painful achilles tendons.

It was a habit for me, depending on the shoes. I think I walked better in sneakers, but sandals and bare feet were the worst for me.

I think a physio and a GP persuaded me to walk correctly but it took a LOT of reminding on my mothers behalf.

**Shananaaah** · 27-10-2008 14:12

Not to scare you but I agree with Oops - you might want to speak to a physio or similar just in case the tendons aren't growing as well as they should.

We had friends years ago who's little son toe walked for about 4 years, which they just thought was "cute" and funny. Turns out he had shortened the tendons and muscles in his calves and had to have extensive physio and be closely monitored to ensure they grew properly.

Years on now and he is absolutely fine, very sporty and no troubles at all. Its correctable, just would be much easier at this early an age.

**mummyofmia** · 27-10-2008 14:24

Hi
My DS now just over 3 toe walks. I wasn't actually too concerned at first - everyone thought it was kinda cute - like a ballerina!. Anyway, my daughter also has allergies so often sees a Paed. Anyway the paed was concerned and told me to encourage her to walk flat footed. Later she did some tests and thought her feet didn't have enough flexibility because of the toe walking so sent me off to a physio.

The physio did a few tests with her and said it should start to decrease now, and that for the moment not too much of an issue, but to see her again in 6 months. She did however tell me to try to make sure she had lots of flat-footed play by walking up stairs - hard to do at home (no stairs), and walking up hills - not so hard we live near a hill. She also suggested squatting activities - but I have noticed DD squats on tiptoe now!

Maybe see a physio - there are some kids ones. Even just for peace of mind - as tippy toe walking also has links to other problems.

**biscotti** · 27-10-2008 14:27

Originally Posted by Zana

He is also sensitive to other things and I wonder if its related. I have never seen him playing in the dirt area with the other boys at kindergarten. He doesn't much like getting dirty but he has gotten a bit better with that. He will wear a band aid now whereas he used to be terrified of anything that stuck to him.

I'm wondering if he may be a little tactile defensive actually. What about sand, playdough, finger painitng etc, how does he go with that sort of thing with having to interact with textures?
Talk to your Director and she what he/she thinks but I have taught a child who was very tactile defensive and also a toe walker (and still is now as far as I know).

**Pax** · 27-10-2008 14:29

my 8 year old daughter still toe walks. I constantly remind her several times a day to 'put your feet down'

i find in her growth spurts she even walks higher on her toes

we have done physio and have all the exercises. i found when she wore roller blades and those roller shoes where they lift their toes off the ground stretching their archilles really helped

they hate the exercises so get some of those roller shoes and have them wear them everywhere

**Zana** · 29-10-2008 15:28

Thank you everyone for the great advise. I think DS is a bit tactile sensitive. I plan to act on all of your suggestions regarding physio, shoes and exercises.

DS and I are now off to walk up our street which is really really steep. I wonder who it will hurt more?

**kotakai** · 29-10-2008 17:30

My friends 5 yr old DS was exactly the same with the toe walking. They also tried physio & doing the exercises & reminding him all the time, but nothing worked. They've just (6 weeks ago) had the operation that fixes it (I think they cut the achilles or something). He was in 2 plaster casts for a month which kept his feet flat in the correct position. The casts came off about 2 weeks ago & the change is amazing! He walks properly now & the dr's are very happy with him.

**Zana** · 29-10-2008 17:52

Originally Posted by kotakai

My friends 5 yr old DS was exactly the same with the toe walking. They also tried physio & doing the exercises & reminding him all the time, but nothing worked. They've just (6 weeks ago) had the operation that fixes it (I think they cut the achilles or something). He was in 2 plaster casts for a month which kept his feet flat in the correct position. The casts came off about 2 weeks ago & the change is amazing! He walks properly now & the dr's are very happy with him.

Hope it doesn't come to that. Was the operation something the physio recommended after it became apparent that nothing else was working?
Even walking up my street just now which is a 45 degree angle DS was walking it on tiptoe every time I took my eyes off of him. He also tried turning around and walking up it backwards. It must be uncomfortable for him.

**Zana** · 29-10-2008 17:57

Originally Posted by Morrigan

my 8 year old daughter still toe walks. I constantly remind her several times a day to 'put your feet down'

i find in her growth spurts she even walks higher on her toes

we have done physio and have all the exercises. i found when she wore roller blades and those roller shoes where they lift their toes off the ground stretching their archilles really helped

they hate the exercises so get some of those roller shoes and have them wear them everywhere

By roller shoes do you mean roller skates?