What Is Toe Walking?
When you watch babies try and walk for the first time, you will notice that a lot of them will start to walk on their toes only instead of their whole feet. Most children will outgrow this and learn to walk on their entire feet, for some, this continues and stays as they get older. This could also happen to children because it is hereditary or that they have an older sibling and they copy that behavior to learn.
Causes of Toe Walking
This condition tends to develop in children who are just learning to walk. In some cases, unfortunately, toe walking is caused by an underlying condition. Those conditions are:
- Having a short Achilles tendon- tendon that 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.
- Cerebral palsy- caused by a disorder of movement, muscle tone or posture caused by injury or abnormal development in the parts of the brain that control muscle function.
- Muscular dystrophy- genetic disease in which muscle fibers are unusually prone to damage and weaken over time.
- Autism. Toe walking has been linked to autism, which affects a child’s ability to communicate and interact with others.
Treatment For Toe Walking
There are many ways that a parent can help their child cure toe walking that are non-surgical. Using leg casts that can help to stretch muscles and tendons in the calves if it is identified that they are tight. A unique brace known as an ankle-foot orthosis, can help to stretch the muscles and tendons in the ankles. Botox injections in the legs are also an option that can help to weaken overactive leg muscles if these are causing the toe walking.
What Provident PT Offers
If you live in the Medford area and are looking for a qualified and helpful physical therapist, then you should check out Provident Physical Therapy. Highly-credentialed physical therapy, occupational therapy, and athletic training. We offer comprehensive, intensive hands-on therapy, biomechanical evaluation, and muscle strengthening and conditioning. We help people who have had surgery to rehabilitate and return to a fully functional life.
