Idiopathic Toe Walking Treament in Montreal
If your child has a tendency to always walk on their toes, an experienced pediatric physiotherapist at Active Solution Physiotherapy Verdun will develop a treatment plan specifically for your your child.   Call now to book your appointment: (514) 767-6858.

What does Idiopathic Toe Walking mean?

Idiopathic Toe Walking, also known as Habitual Toe Walking, refers to a child who stays on their toes while walking.  It is often caused by shortening of the calf muscles rather than another underlying condition.

What can be other causes of Toe Walking?

  1. Neurological – coming from the nervous system (ie. Cerebral Palsy)
  2. Myogenic – coming from a problem in the muscle tissue (ie. Muscular Dystrophy)
  3. Congenital – the way your child has grown (ie. Clubfeet)

How can you differentiate between Idiopathic Toe Talking and Toe Walking caused by Cerebral Palsy?

In children with Idiopathic Toe Walking, they are usually able to stand with flat feet and Toe Walking may be inconsistent.  However, children with Cerebral Palsy are up on their toes consistently when standing and walking.  The greatest difference is the presence of Spasticity (the muscle is unable to relax) in the ankle, knee or hips in children with Cerebral Palsy, where as Spasticity is not present in children with Idiopathic Toe Walking.​

When should my child stop walking up on their toes?

​Toddlers may walk with their heels lifted when beginning to walk independently.  At the age of 2, children begin to develop walking patterns similar to adults and by the age of 3, the child has developed a mature walking pattern, thus the heel-toe pattern should be present.

How can physiotherapy help with my child with Idiopathic Toe Walking?

The main purpose of physiotherapy is to increase the flexibility of the calf muscle, allowing adequate movement in the ankle to allow heel toe walking pattern.  Active Solution Physiotherapy Verdun’s pediatric physiotherapists will develop a home program that includes stretching exercises to ensure adequate movement of the ankle when walking and strengthening exercises to ensure proper development.

Read about the other pediatric conditions that our clinic treats.

Physiotherapist

Make an appointment now for your child with our pediatric physiotherapists in Montreal (Verdun): ​(514) 767-6858 or fill in the form on our Contact Us page if you would like us to call you
References:
Song, Kit M MD, Staheli, Lynn T MD. (2007). Pediatric Orthopaedic Secrets, 3rd edition. Philadelphia: Elsevier Inc.
Campbell, S. Vander Linden, D. Palisano, R. (2006). Physical Therapy for Children, 3rd edition. St. Louis: Elsevier Inc.