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 Habitual Toe-walking in children
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cathyb Junior Member  Posts: 7 |
posted 08-21-2002 09:24 PM
  
My 10 year old son is a habitual toe walker. He can walk on his feet when concentrating on it, but when not, he's back on his toes. He does not have CP. 3 years ago he wore casts for 6 weeks - no success. His doctor has now suggested Botox shots, then casts for 2 weeks, then braces for 6 months. I would like to hear from other parents who have children with this problem and your experiences with Botox, casts and braces. I am unsure about the Botox shots - any experiences you can share would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!! IP: Logged |
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steph2626 Senior Member Posts: 82 |
posted 08-22-2002 11:25 AM
hello--my daughter is almost 8 and she does the same thing. i have to constantly remind her to walk flat and i have never understood why she does this and have been curious. what is the ds or dn or whatever it was u said?? and is this something i need to worry about?? thank you!! IP: Logged |
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steph2626 Senior Member Posts: 82 |
posted 08-22-2002 11:26 AM
ok sorry cp lol!! IP: Logged |
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cathyb Junior Member Posts: 7 |
posted 08-22-2002 05:47 PM
Some of the causes of toe walking, according to the doctors we have seen, are Cerebral Palsy, Tight Heel Cords and Habitual Toe walking. Habitual toe walkers have no physical cause, they just persist in walking on their tiptoes. They can stand flat when you ask. Sometimes the problem resolves by itself. My concern is that my son's heel cords could become tight if he doesn't walk normally. The doctor said if we do nothing now the problem will become less noticeable as he becomes an adult. I would like to avoid the casts again - I just want to know that I am doing what's right for my child. The problem is not stopping him from normal activities but it does affect his balance during times when he needs to stand still. IP: Logged |
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acbuchan Member Posts: 47 |
posted 08-23-2002 11:48 AM
Hi my son is a toe walker, he is only 2.5 yrs old, but I can almost guarentee that he will still be doing it at 10! He is autistic, and although your son is not autistic (I assume), he may do it for the same reason as mine, and that is simply because it alters the perspective on the world, they simply enjoy the different feeling that it gives. I am not really concerned about my son toe walking, so long as it doesnt damage his muscles, I view it as "each to thier own", there is so much in life that we have to do no matter whether we want to or not, so its nice to have an escape, something that may relieve stress, or anxiety? or what ever each child does it for. Good luck with your child, if you find a way around it I will certainly be interested in know (if my little one is still doing it when he about 15 I think Ill really be panicking then!!!  Take care CindyIP: Logged |
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my2eyes Newbie Posts: 1 |
posted 09-10-2003 10:18 PM
My son is 10. He Toewalks and has his entire life. Ideopathic or Congenitally short heel cords. We have heard both and seen 5 pediatric orthopedic surgeons. The choice now is Botox, Gastocnemus Recession, or Lenthen the Heel Cords. What is the worst case senario if we do the heel cord surgery? Has anyone done any of these with a 10 year old? We can not find a Dr that has treated a 10 yr old, always younger? Does this mean it is too late? Thanks for the help. IP: Logged |
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plymouth Senior Veteran  Posts: 639 |
posted 09-10-2003 10:38 PM
Yet another possible explanation is anterior pelvic tilt, also known as anterior rotation, antroversion or pelvic flexion, depending on the practitioner. They all seem to have their own lingo. When the pelvic tips forward this causes body weight to be shifted to the toes, the knees lock back and the calf muscles (heel cord)tighten up for balance. It's usually the quadriceps (anterior thigh muscles) doing it but nobody ever checks the upper thigh because the symptoms are everywhere else (the toe walking and heel cord). Normal angle of the pelvis for boys is 0-5 degrees and for girls 5-10 degrees. It's measured with a goniometer which is like a protractor that you used to measure angles in geometry class. The measurement is taken between two bony landmarks on the pelvis called the ASIS and the PSIS. Any physical therapist should know how to do this. Massage therapists trained in neuromuscular therapy and other similar structural bodyworkers may also know how to take this measurement. The treatment is massage to release the quadriceps followed by stretching. [This message has been edited by plymouth (edited 09-10-2003).] IP: Logged |
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cathyb Junior Member Posts: 7 |
posted 09-12-2003 05:56 PM
my2eyes - another message forum you might find helpful is www.orthoseek.com. Go to the message forum under children's foot problems - then toe-walking. I hope you find some answers to your son's toe-walking. IP: Logged |
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