Any adivce on children who tie toe?

Question

My seven month old (who obviously can't walk yet), stands on his tip toes. We took him to the doctor, who reassured us that he does not have Cerebral Palsy, and informed us that he most likey has a short Achilles Tendon. We are going to take him to physical therapy. Has anyone else's children had this condition, and if so, any advice? How long does it usually take to be able to stand flat footed? Does it typically delay walking? Did you child completely recover from the tio toe stance?

Answer 1

While there is an association between children with neurological problems and toe walking, not all toe walking children have other problems. In many children, it is simply habitual and actually have full passive range of motion of their ankles. If the child continues to tip toe by the time they are fully ambulatory and they do not or cannot consciously correct it with your cuing, futher investigation may be warrated...there may be a sensory dysfunction by which the child has an aversion to being flat footed in which case he may also demonstrate other hypersensitivities to light, sound, taste, etc.

Yet, many have just not integrated that normal walking pattern into their brain. If they have full motion, but contniue to toe walk, many times that can be placed into AFOs (a leg brace) which prevents them from walking on their toes. They are forced into a heel to toe pattern and get that sensory feedback while walking...soon it becomes part of their normal movement pattern and no longer need to wear the braces.

Answer 2

First of all, IF you are able to, take you son to the Shriners Hospital for Children, or to any other orthopedic specialist.The sooner he has a TAL correction, the better.It is where they make a very small incision on the back of his heel, and cut the Achilles tendon.IT WILL GROW INTO THE CORRECT POSITION/LENGTH.
My daughter was born with bilateral clubfeet and underwent the SAME surgery in December.Her Achilles tendons were VERY SHORT, so much so, her heels were touching the back of her calves, as well as having her feet toe to toe.
IT IS a surgical procedure, and you should request your baby be put under anesthesia, it will be less painful.There are some Dr.s that do it in the office, but that seems to barbaric to me.He will then have a cast applied to his foot after the procedure and may have to undergo rehab and such...We haven't quite got there yet, our daughter is only 5 months old!
Good Luck to you!!
Take him ASAP, the longer you wait, the harder it will be on the little man.

Answer 3

this is a perfectly normal things for young children to do. many children start to walk just on their tip toes and as they learn the put the rest of the foot down. again, perfectly normal. his tendon will stretch out normally as he grows and starts putting more weight and force on this tendon. keep in mind this tendon has not really been in use yet, so there's no reason for it to be stretched out already. just relax.