I've Noticed My Child is Toe Walking...

Congratulations! Your child is walking. You've baby-proofed the house. Your back already feels better because you are not carrying you child 24-7. But now you notice your child is walking on her toes and you've heard this is a problem.

Here's the scoop on toe walking. Some kiddos will walk on their toes when they begin cruising and then walking. If they have only been walking for 1-2 months, they are still developing their gait pattern and it should just be monitored. If they continue to toe walk after that time and are on their toes more than 50% of the time I would suggest a PT consult.

Children toe walk for many reasons. Some have sensory issues - either avoidance of sensations or sensory seeking behaviors. Some children have weakness in their core. The high toes position enables them to lock the ankles for stability. Long term toe walking will eventually cause loss of ankle range of motion which will prevent the child from being able to put their heels down.

All the above issues can be treated by a PT. Loss of ankle range can cause orthopedic issues in the feet, ankles, knees, hips and back over time. The cause of the behavior is important for reversal. High tops or braces are not always the answer.