What is tiptoe walking?
Normally, when a child walks, his heel should be the first thing to hit the ground. However, some kids like to walk on the tip of their toes instead. This is a problem that is easily missed by parents for many reasons.
Firstly, children that tiptoe generally do not have problems playing sports. Secondly, the child will generally stand on his heels on the ground, it is only when he starts walking that his heel never touches the ground.
Tiptoe walking is not a normal way to walk. It causes foot, ankle, knee and hips instability. Tiptoe walking makes your child more prone to falls, sprains, and development of postural problems. As a child grows, tiptoeing can get worse and cause pain in the foot, ankle, knee or lower back.
What causes tiptoe walking?
Many things can cause tiptoeing, but it is generally associated with tight calf muscles on the back of your child's legs. These tight calf muscles will decrease the movement of the ankle and create pain and instability in the knees and hips.
Calf muscles become tighter as a child continues to tiptoe. This is why tiptoe walking can become worse with time. As tiptoeing becomes worse, it also becomes more difficult to treat. Therefore, it is essential to identify the problem early in order to treat it appropriately and to prevent injuries.
