Toe-Walking: What, Why and When to call a Pediatric PT

After tons of practice, ups, downs, and tumbles, most children walk between the ages of 10 and 14 months. This is typically a fun and exciting time for kids and parents alike; it’s a right-of-passage and milestone for babies, and most parents clap with delight as their little one takes the first few steps. If you have ever seen a baby start walking, you’ve probably noticed their gait is nothing like that of a grown adult! New walkers have a wider base of support and keep their legs farther apart as they learn to balance. Those beginning to walk are also typically very wobbly, and don’t usually strike their heels with each step or swing their arms. If you can believe it, most kids don’t walk with an adult-like pattern until age seven!

When Toe-Walking Becomes a Concern:

Sometimes, when babies are learning to walk, they pop up on the tips of their toes. There are many reasons why this happens, ranging from habit to difficulties processing sensory information through their feet and/or legs. Additionally, toe-walking might co-exist with another diagnosis’, such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy. While it can initially look kind of cute, if carried on for prolonged periods of time, toe-walking can put a heavy amount of stress on the body. Walking with the wrong gait can cause muscle tightness, especially in the calf, which can lead to a poor range of motion at the ankle. If this happens, the way a child walks is affected as well as other things, such as riding a bike, running during a game of tag or going upstairs.

Left untreated, toe-walking can create a slew of problems such as decreased movement and the inability to stand with feet flat on the ground (learn about the importance of early intervention). Sometimes, children who toe-walk too long need surgery to correct the damage that has been done on the body. When does toe-walking become a concern? Around the ages of 18-24 months, most kids will have a normal heel-to-toe pattern. If your child has not outgrown toe-walking by this age, consider having an evaluation done by a pediatric physical therapist. If your child needs PT, the physical therapist can work with your kiddo to stretch and strengthen their muscles. He/she will also play with your child and create games to reverse the desire to toe-walk and the effects it has on the body. With the proper help by a pediatric physical therapist, toe-walking can be corrected and a typical walking pattern can be established.