Toe Walking

Toe walking is defined as a pattern of walking where a child walks and plays predominantly up on the balls of their feet without the heel coming in contact with the floor. It can be seen as a normal variant of early walking, however if it persists and becomes the main mechanism for movement then intervention is necessary. Addressing this concern early is critical for decreasing the chance of developing a habitual gait pattern as your child grows and develops. Children who walk up on toes are at risk for muscular tightness with limited mobility found at their ankle, and also increases the stress placed at the knees and hips. Although there is sometimes no known cause for toe walking, it can be a symptoms of other issues such as visual limitations, sensory dysregulation, hypotonia, and vestibular impairment.