Any ones child walk on their tip-toes?

Question

My son is nearly 5 and has walked on tip-toes ever since he began walking. In June he had his legs put in casts from the knee down to his toes to apparently break the "habit" for 2 months. Within a week of them being removed he started doing it again. Anypne else experienced this please?

The consultant said the only other option is surgery as his tendons are too tight. Not sure whether to opt for another go with the casts or go for surgery. My 3 year old daughter has started copying her brother too!

When I ask him to walk properly he looks in pain and often wakes crying in the night saying his legs and feet hurt. Dr's repeatedly brush me off that he'll grow out of it and it's habit but it causes him pain.

Answer 1

If it did truly start as a habit, and has no other neurological problems (toe-walking is often a factor in autism and Cerebral Palsy) since he was able to walk, it could truly be that his tendons are short and they are now atrophied to the point where the tendons are used to that. This can be very painful, and difficult for the child to walk flat-footed without surgery. I work in a preschool for children with disabilities, and we had one such child that used the casts for a while to try to stretch the tendons as well, and it did not work. He had to have surgery, but after he did (and had casts again for a while) he was able to walk flat-footed. Sometimes, as in autism, the toe-walking truly is a "habit", that can be "broken" by the use of casts, but when the tendons are "fixed" that way in the legs, it is no longer a habit, but a medical condition (as in CP or a shortened tendon). I would recommend getting a second opinion on the surgery to make sure that is what would be best for your son (you don't want to do unnecessary surgery), but also have a neurological exam done. It could also be that he has sensory issues related to the feeling of his feet on the ground. Talking to an occupational therapist or physical therapist may also be a good idea that could give you exercises to do with your child, as well as finding out the cause of the toe-walking. All the best for your son!!

Answer 2

It is NOT normal AT ALL for an almost 5 year old to walk on their tiptoes. Anyone, doctors included, that tells you otherwise, does not know what they are talking about. While walking on toes is a very common phrase that TODDLERS go through, it's considered "concerning" if they don't break the habit after a few months of walking. Considering your son has been casted and is STILL exhibiting this pattern, I'd definitely take him to see a Neurologist. Tip-toe walking can indicate a Neurological disorder, Cerebral Palsy being the most common one. Your son may need to wear bilateral orthotics on a daily basis to stretch his heel cords. He would also benefit from Physical Therapy. If the doctors you've been seeing continue to brush you off, get rid of them. I think it would also be wise for you to take him to an Orthopedic Surgeon. If he experiences pain when he tries to flatten his foot, I wouldn't force him to do it. You might want to look up the word "spasticity" as well; since it's the medical term for "high muscle tone". You'll see if your son fits the bill.

I wish you the best of luck in finding answers for your son. I know, to an extent, the worrying you are experiencing. My daughter was born premature at 25 weeks, so I knew she had a very high chance for Cerebral Palsy. When she began to cruise furniture at around 20 months or so, she always walked up on her toes. That was our Physical Therapist's biggest clue that we were dealing with something permenant and not just a delay. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 3

Hi There

My daughter is nearly six and she does it. It is to do with their tendons being too tight. My daughter has spent most of her life in and out the hospital and being bed ridden for weeks at a time. She has physiotherapy for this, and I was given some special boots, but they are like tweenie boots when she has them on. The problem is that when walking on their toes, they tend to lean forward and end up almost running, this is very frustrating. But touch wood, the last 6 weeks or so, I have noticed a remarkable difference in my daughters walking. She does still walk on her toes, when she has no socks on, but I was forever saying to her "FLAT FEET" "WALK PROPERLY" HEEL TOE". Anyway, like I said I have seen a difference recently.

Because I didn't like the boots they gave me, I bought my daughter a pair of Timberland boots, so that they were stiff around the ankle, and I do think they helped a bit.

Also, my physio told me that they do injections for this, and its either Botox or something similar. So maybe consult your doctor about this before having surgery.

Your not alone.

All the best.

Answer 4

i have walked on my tip-toes since i leaned to walk when i was small and to this day, and I'm 50 year old, i still walk on my tip-toes, i think it something to do with that you don't like your heels to touch the ground at the same time.plus sometime when i do walk without tip-toes, my feet hurt, so i don't know if that has something to do with it. but i do know that your son will be like me. and always walk from time to time on his toes and that's OK. for he will do it mostly around his family,and i was told when i was young that i had a high arch and felt better to walk like your son. and it's my family that has always notice it when i do. but i can see your worry for your son, it doesn't mean is funny if you know what i mean and he's not going to let other people see that when he gets older. i mostly do it around the house and that's it. so good luck and it's OK for your son too. all the best to you. i hope i help Little. take care.

Answer 5

Occasional tip toeing is normal. Yes it is a sign of autism, but only 1 of many and I wouldn't worry about it if its the only one. It could be sensory that the child is seeking sensory input. Easily corrected with an OT. Also it could be high muscle tone, try pulling up on the toes, if it is tight you should stretch it once a day. My son was like this from high muscle tone (hypertonia)

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Answer 6

not an experience of my own but my neighbours boy always walked on his tip toes and went through surgery and was in a cast for ages he is 17 now and still walks on his tip toes my advice is dont put him through the pain off surgery if hes happy on his tip toes leave him be

Answer 7

My two sons walked on their toes when they were little, the older of the two still slightly walks on his toes and he's eighteen now, I think it was because they both used a baby walker when they first started to walk, at least that is what the doctor thought might have caused the problem, hopefully your son will grow out of it, my youngest son has.

Answer 8

My kids don't walk on their tip toes, but my husband did when he was a child. He doesn't have any problems now with his legs, but he does have really nice calves :) My mom read somewhere that it can cause problems. I would almost guarantee that's why his legs hurt. Have you considered seeing an orthopedist for this? Good luck!

Answer 9

Yes, my two gransons, who are brothers, 3yrs apart, used walking rings inbetween their mother's chores and when walking on their own, used to walk on their toes a lot but not all the time. They have a very good balance now in their sport etc. but no they do not walk normally on their toes anymore.

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