Toe walking what does it mean

Sometimes, an adult may have always toe walked and corrective measures were ineffective. Other times, you might start toe walking in adulthood. This could be idiopathic or due to various conditions that can affect the feet. Examples include:. This usually begins with taking a medical history. Examples of questions a doctor may ask include:. Your doctor will also perform a physical examination. This will usually include asking to see you or your child walk.

They will also examine the feet and legs for development and range of motion. Other exams may include those for neurological function and muscle strength. Toe walking may be a concern because if it continues past age 5, a person may have problems walking with their heels down later in life, though most with idiopathic toe-walking do not. If you toe walk most of the time, you may have problems wearing shoes comfortably or engaging in recreational activities involving wearing special shoes, such as roller skates.

You may also fall more easily. Non-surgical treatment is usually recommended for children between ages 2 and 5, especially if they can walk flat-footed when prompted.

Sometimes simply reminding a child to walk flat-footed can help. But as long as your child is growing and developing normally, toe walking on its own is unlikely to be a cause for concern. Kids who spend a lot of time on their toes can develop stiffness, tightening, and pain in their Achilles tendon, which can be treated with physical therapy and stretching exercises.

Rarely surgery may be required usually after age 6 if the toe walking is the result of or results in tendon stiffness. Teaching teens to volunteer; the importance of community service. Sex Education Age Appropriate Topics. Shobha Bhaskar, MD is a pediatric hospitalist with St. Swim Safety for Kids Rules for the Pool.

Shobha Bhaskar, MD is a pediatric hospitalist with St. View More. Find a Doctor Request an Appointment Subscribe. Related Posts. Receive MomDocs updates in your inbox. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Walking on the toes or the balls of the feet, also known as toe walking, is fairly common in children who are just beginning to walk.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Haynes KB, et al. Toe walking: A neurological perspective after referral from pediatric orthopaedic surgeons.