Walking on Toes

[Debsb]

My 3.5 yr old daughter walks on her toes. i had assumed she would grow out of it, but have since heard that some children have to have weighted shoes & operations to lengthen the tendon. I spoke to our HV at her 3yr check, but she didn't seem to know anything about this. My daughter will put her heels down when reminded, but as soon as she forgets its back on tiptoes again. My eldest did this, but it wore off at about 2.5. Anybody else know anything about this?

Debsb, my son's best friend does this - he's four next month. I don't think they are at all worried about it, but I've never asked her. Next time I see her (after Easter holidays), I'll ask her how they see it.

I believe that any child who walks on his/her toes on a regular basis should be checked up by the HV/GP. I'm sure I read this on one of the HEA books I was given when pregnant or just after giving birth. Good luck!

I was a confirmed tip toe walker until I was 10-11yrs and even now, I sometimes catch myself walking on tip toes! My daughter (4yr) also does it sometimes.

Can't say it has ever caused me any problems and because of that, we have never worried about my daughter doing it, particularly as, like your daughter, she puts her heels down when it is pointed out.

Hope that helps!

my son,4 next week, walks on his toes,but generally only when he's excited and prances around. He was referred by the health visitor to a paediatric physio who has seen him several times and says that the tendon is the problem and has given him some exercises to do to stretch them. Swimming might be a good idea to stretch the feet too. I'm not too worried about it- I think the HV's tend to err on the side of caution.

Tusky, my brother who is 30 walks on his toes and always has done as far as I can remember. No one has ever suggested it was a problem (although he has been teased over the years). Now his little girl who is 4 also walks on her toes (and has done since she started walking). Likewise no one has suggested this is a problem either. I would suggest that the HV is simply being cautious.

my 3 year old daughter walks on her toes indoors with no shoes on, but ok outdoors. (it is more noticable if she is not feeling well) I am sure I have read something about this way of walking, but have never got round to remembering to ask our health visitor - My daughter has a 39 month
assessment due next week, and so I am going to ask about it then.

My son used to walk on the fronts of his toes, with the toes bent under his foot. Still makes me wince to think of it.Didn't bother him though.

For my son, walking on his toes was part of a variety of indications that he was dyspraxic. But I think it's only a problem if there are other difficulties as well (clumsiness, lack of concentration etc.)

Maybe some of us just have sprites in the family!

Hi Debsb, my 9yrold son has been a tippy-toe walker since he could walk. We took him to the GP who referred him to an orthopaedic surgeon. He's been having physio for nearly a year as the doc believes his achilles and hamstrings are so short that he physically can't put his feet down properly. My son was also referred to the paeditrician to rule out any form of cerebral palsy. Sounds worrying but there are two types of toe walking, habitual, as in my son's case or the palsy related. We got a clean bill of health for the paedeotrician. So last month ds was given Botox injections under a gen anaesthetic, and extra physio. this hasn't helped much, so we're probably moving onto serial casting next. This involves changing casts on both feet for six weeks, increasing the angle each time. Do get your daughter chkd for your peace of mind, but habits are hard to break. The surgeon told us that if we'd left it til adulthood, he may have had to have his tendons surgically lengthened by cutting and rejoining. We left it this long because we didn't think there would be any long term effect, and it was rather cute in the beginning! He's got very firm calf muscles! Hope this helps

5 years old.... what's going on?

Debsb, just thought of something. Sit on an upright dining chair. Sitting with the small of you back pushed right back and sitting up 'smart' extend you legs out, without cheating and sliding forwards to get the leverage. Most people can get their legs to almost a 90 degree angle pretty easily. (heels pushed out, toes to the ceiling!) Now get your daughter to do it, make it a game. If her hamstrings are tight, her bum will slide forwards. If she is still sitting straight, she may not be able to straighten her legs, you can look under her knee and see how taught her tendons are. These have a pulling action when walking. also see if she can touch her toes

Debs-my niece has always walked on her toes and nothing has ever been done about it.

She is now 8 and in alot of pain as her muscles are so short,she is finding gym very difficult,wish it had been picked up earlier.

Do see your GP

But guys, she's 8 now... guys?!

Exactly!

She was adopted-but that isnt an excuse,however it might have something to do with it

No, debs's one?

IT WAS 2001 2001

GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rofl fastasleep this is great!

lol 2001!!! hehe

haha just got it doh! d'ya think she's still watchin thread?

Are archive searches back on because I'm a bit stumped by the revival... glad someone understood me finally shouting

two thousand and ooooooooooone at them!

thread revival! Cool! Fastasleep ur more awake than me, I'm off to bed nite all!