My Child Is a Toe Walker — Should I Be Worried?

It’s normal when a child first learns to walk that they do so elevated on the balls of their feet. It’s called toe walking, and most children outgrow the habit by the time they reach their second birthday. 

The pediatric foot care specialists at Hudson Valley Foot Associates can help assure that your child’s foot development is normal, treating any issues that arise as they take their first steps and master mobility. 

Should you worry if your child is a toe walker? The answer is usually “probably not,” but there are some rare exceptions. Let’s take a look at toe walking, its natural progression, and when it might be the sign of a problem. 

The usual reasons for toe walking 

Walking on the toes concentrates the weight of the body on the front portion of the foot, including the ball and fleshy portion just below the toes. It’s a common method children use when they take their first steps. 

In most cases, there’s no explanation why children naturally use this posture, since it’s less stable than walking on the entire foot with the heel on the floor. 

Some theories suggest that balance improves more quickly as children navigate the world in this more precarious position. A child’s developing sensory system might prefer the greater force that’s felt when contacting only a portion of the foot with each step as they become accustomed to the natural feedback that taking steps generates. 

In most cases, there’s no reason to worry about your child learning to walk with their heels off the ground. This behavior usually stops before they turn two years old and they’ll benefit from better balance, functional ability, and stability as they transition to full-foot walking. 

What about the exceptions? 

Sometimes, there’s a reason beyond instinct for toe walking. A couple are due to physical development while in other cases toe walking is a symptom of another disorder. 

When your child has tightness in the Achilles tendon or in their calf muscles, the natural tendency is to walk on their toes. This might be part of the reason why toe walking disappears around the age of two, as these tissues gain flexibility and strength. 

In severe cases lasting past the age of two, your child might need treatment including braces or splints, casts, physical therapy, or surgery to correct the problems causing tissue tightness. 

Neurological disorders like autism and cerebral palsy sometimes feature toe walking as a symptom, as does muscular dystrophy.

When should I seek treatment for my child? 

Contact Hudson Valley Foot Associates to arrange an exam for your child in these circumstances: 

• Toe walking extends past your child’s second birthday
• When your child walks on their full foot but later begins to walk on their toes
• When your child is still under the age of two, but you have other concerns about their development
• Lack of balance or coordination that seems related to their toe walking habit

We’ll review your child’s medical history and examine their gait and other health markers to develop a diagnosis. Call or click to book an appointment at our nearest location today.