Tiptoe walking

[Blossom4538]

We haven't addressed this with our little one or had any help. Paed just said up to us if we want to do anything about it?! I know some people do special stretching exercises etc??

[Blossom4538]

She's almost 5. Poss sensory issues, selective mutism and anxiety.

[Runningtokeepstill]

If I may join in on this, does anyone know what happens if someone is still toe walking in adolescence? Hypermobile ds, 16, (some ASD traits but not enough for CAMHS to continue with diagnostic procedures) has toe walked for several years now. He's not always walked this way, it started as a pain-related thing.

Is this recoverable? Have heard scary stories of children needing operations to correct this if it's been left too long. I'm trying to find a suitably experienced physio/pilates instructor for ongoing help. Or do I just have to buy him a pair of high heels ?

[Ineedmorepatience]

*running", I would get a physio involved. We were told in November that Dd3 might need surgery due to her shortened Achilles and hamstrings causing the bottom bones in her legs to twist!

She has walked on the front of her foot as apposed to actual tip toeing but its had the same result. She also had a massive growth spurt in the summer which her muscles and tendons couldnt keep up with.

Having said that, with physio and much more active day time routine due to being home ed we have managed to stretch the tendons out enough to keep the consultant happy and for now avoid the dreaded surgery or serial casting which would have made her less mobile.

It is now in writing that she is globally hypermobile and we have good support from Physio. Physio can make all the difference!

[Runningtokeepstill]

Polter he does it both barefoot and in shoes. In the house he's usually pottering around in socks and he always toe walks then unless I remind him. When he tries to heel strike he is still often toe walking on the left foot some of the time without realising. His left side of his body is actually quite twisted when he walks. He heel strikes more in shoes but again that left foot has problems and slides back into toe walking quite a bit.

Ineed it's great that physio and increased activity has helped your daughter. I'm very glad for her (and you) and it also gives me some hope. Ds has been seeing a physio privately recently and has some exercises to do at home but it's not coming through in sorting out his walking, although he has got a bit stronger and has more stamina.

I've been thinking of having another go at getting an NHS physio referral. The "usual" route just gives about 6 weeks of appointments (so 6 appts in fact). When he was younger he went through children's services at the hospital but they didn't want to keep seeing him as he's thought to have psychological issues (which CAMHS won't address as they don't see children who have MH issues as a result of physical health issues!). However, we're trying to get CAMHS involved again, so mainstream hospital physio (too old for children's one now) might be an option to get him started.

[Ineedmorepatience]

zzzzz Dd3 is also very hypermobile and it has been a problem but hopefully she is an unusual case!

running stretches are the best thing to prevent the Achilles from shortening, Dd3 found it very hard due to demand avoidance but we bought a balance board on polters recommendation and that got her going!

[Blossom4538]

Thank you all. X

[Thornrose]

Running my dd is 16 and still tiptoe walks. She has AS and dyspraxia. She tries hard not to when out as she's becoming self conscious.

When she tries to put her feet flat her bum sticks out and she finds it almost impossible. We've had so many issues over the last few years this has taken a back seat but it's starting to worry me.

I think dd would be very averse to any kind of exercise at the moment!

Blossom with hindsight I wish I'd taken it more seriously while she was younger. We tried orthotic insoles in her shoes for a while when she was about 8 or 9 but they didn't work.

[Ineedmorepatience]

thorn do you think your Dd would use a balance board?

I have been using ours and you can definitely feel the stretch when it goes down at the back! I guess its not the fastest or most efficient way to stretch but it has shown that its better than nothing for Dd3!

Also leaving a thick book by the sink in the bathroom has helped, Dd3 will sometimes stretch while brushing her teeth and washing her hands!

www.amazon.co.uk/PhysioRoom-Wooden-Wobble-Board-40cm/dp/B009H69G6M/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1462264613&sr=8-6&keywords=wobble%20boards&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[Thornrose]

We could certainly give it a try. I'll see what she thinks.

[Runningtokeepstill]

We've got a wobble board somewhere, probably dumped in the garage. I'd better dig it out.

Blossom, sorry to hijack the thread a bit. It looks like those of us with older dc wish we could have sorted it out when they are younger so at at least you've got the benefit of our hindsight.