8 year old still tip toe waling.. Is operating the only option?

[Piggychunk]

My DS 8 has walked on tip toes since first learning to walk. He can put his feet flat to the ground when reminded but just normal walking he is up there on his toes.

I have spoke to 2 different consultants as we relocated when he was 6. The first one was more inclined to leave children like my son and let him just walk that way.. he said if he was a girl it would be great as she would be fine in heels

The current consultant is more inclined to operate ( small incision in achiles ) My son would be in both feet casts for 2-3 months so would need to be in a wheel chair.

He is a really active boy playing football every break and other activites and me and his Dad do not know what to do for the best

Just wondering if anyone else has had a child with this problem and what they did.

Thanks

[NeoMaxiZoomDweebie]

I am 40 and still do it at times...

here is an interesting message board about the problem you will see that the people on the board have older toe walkers and what they've been told.

Your DS seems like an habitual toe walker rather than someone who does it because of some malfunction in his musceles....did the consulatant say WHY your son is walking in this way? Habit or another reason?

If habit, I wouldn't operate myself....

[MrsZoidberg]

My DS was like this. After a couple of consultants commented on it, I had a chat with DS about how it could affect him in the future and he made a conscious effort to stop. It took him a couple of years but he now never does it.

[girliefriend]

I know a boy about age 8 who did this and had the op, was in casts for a few weeks but tbh he didn't need to wheelchair he just walked about on the casts.

I think I would be inclined to have the op as may cause problems, teasing later on.

[MadameJosephine]

My cousin's son had Botox injections rather than surgery, maybe this would be an option?

[lemonpuff]

what haenedto weighted boots the heels used to be really heavy and pulled the heel down.

[lemonpuff]

happened to, sorry

[Youaresoright]

This was my brother. Consultant decided his weight when he got older would pull his heals down. And we had to spend years saying 'heals down!' To him. Now he is mid twenties and 6ft and we catch him doing it at home with no shoes on. Outside you might notice he walks more on the balls of his feet but you wouldn't think it was tiptoes.

Hth

[Piggychunk]

Thanks ladies

They said its Habit which has lead to his achilies getting tight now as he doesn't use them enough. I have an appointment again on Monday with the consultant as I'm unsure if we did leave it will it lead to back or leg problems when older.

I would like to try weighted boots actually but not sure how to get them . Maybe the hospital may know

[NeoMaxiZoomDweebie]

Can they not recommend any exercises? It seems full on to operate when it's only tight muscles.

[Piggychunk]

He has had physio for nearly 2 year now with us doing exercises everyday but he still walks on toes.. Drives us bonkers!

[Theladyinthevan]

My DD (also 8)is a toe walker, despite constant reminders she is still doing it. We see a physio every 2 weeks and she has night splints to lengthen the muscles. She actually sleeps better in them and they really are working.

DD has SN which contribute to her toe walking, it has also impacted on the growth of her feet which are tiny (size 1) but as wide as an adults'size 6. She is also hypermobile, which causes its own issues.

I would ask for night splints as they really have worked wonders with DD, try to keep the exercises up (easier said than done, I know)

Good luck for Monday

[Piggychunk]

They have decided not to operate.. They think his feet are better than last time ( not as tight ) and she is hoping with age he will walk properly. I am lucky that he can walk normally when reminded and only has pain with growth spurts. We have some new exercises to try but thats it.

I'm hoping one day he will just stop but who knows