Detailed information on Toe Walking for parents
Toe walking is a walking pattern most common among children. In this condition, the child walks on the feet, leaving no contact between the ground and heels. The problem is most noticeable among children who are learning to walk. Usually, the problem gets solved on its own once the child turns two and begins to walk through the heel-to-toe pattern. If the problem seems to be worse, you need to consult the best child Orthopedic Doctor in Ludhiana.
How is the problem characterized?
- Need to balance everything on the toes all the time
- Need to walk with straight knees
- Can easily stand on the heels on the ground but won’t do do
- Calf muscles are incredibly tight or strong
If you notice all these features in your child, you should visit the best Pediatric Clinic in Ludhiana at the earliest opportunity.
What are the causes of toe walking?
Usually, the exact cause behind toe walking has yet to be discovered. Although, it’s seen that most children can walk flat-footed when asked to do so. The child above the age of 2 might walk like this just because they have developed the habit. There are fewer cases where the toe walking is due to a specific cause like the underlying medical condition:
- Muscular dystrophy
- Neurological condition
- Autism
- Spinal cord abnormality
- Cerebral palsy
Pediatric ortho doctor examination
When you visit the pediatric ortho doctor, he performs the necessary examination by asking you different questions like:
- Are there any pregnancy-related complications?
- When did the signs of toe walking were noticed?
- Have they reached the developmental milestone state?
- Is the problem of toes walking on both or one side?
- Is there any family history of neurological disorder?
- Does your child complain about leg or foot pain, weakness, or cannot normally perform like other children?
How to diagnose toe walking?
The doctor performs a Toe walking physical examination that includes different tests to check the neurological problem like:
- X-ray
- MRI
- Nerve tests like EMG, NCV
What are the treatment options for toe walking?
Different factors allow us to determine properly about the toe-walking problem:
- Child age
- Can the child walk normally flat-footed
Although the initial treatment suggested by the pediatric ortho doctor is non-surgical in most cases.
Non-surgical treatment for toe walking
The list of non-surgical treatments for toe walking are:
- Serial casting
- Bracing
- Botox therapy
- Observation & stretching
After analyzing your condition thoroughly, the doctor will tell you better about the right type of non-surgical treatment plan that’s required.
Surgical treatment for toe walking
Surgical treatment is suggested when the condition is severe, and a non-surgical approach wouldn’t make any difference. The extreme tightness in the Achilles tendons and calf muscles makes everything difficult. In this case, the non-surgical approach suggested making the Achilles tendons lengthened to the right state.
Recovery and rehabilitation after toe walking
The toe walking treatment includes physical therapy after undergoing surgery. This allows the child to effectively get into the normal walking state and improves the overall quality of life.
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