It’s relatively common to see a child walking on their toes as they start to walk. The fact is that most children usually outgrow it.
But there are times when toe walking goes beyond their toddler years and is turning out to become a habit. But what would you do when that happens?
Understanding toe walking
A person walks typically with their heels on the ground. But there are times when a person walks on the balls of their feet. Although toe walking is common among children under the age of two years old, most people eventually outgrow this behavior and slowly adopt the regular walking pattern.
Experts say that although exhibiting the toe walking pattern could be a sign of development drawbacks and shouldn’t be a cause for any concern. In most cases, there aren’t any definite cause for children who continues to toe-walk beyond the age of 2. However, this walking pattern can cause a person to have cramping calf muscles, which makes it difficult for them to learn the heel-to-toe walking behavior.
Common causes of toe walking
Most often, experts can’t identify the probable reason why a child walks on their toes. In several cases, children who have problems walking straight can walk on their heels. Instead, they consciously prefer the toe walking pattern. However, experts have identified a few conditions where a child may develop the toe walking pattern.
One of them is cerebral palsy. This type of condition often affects a person’s ability to coordinate their body, which can affect their posture as well as their muscle tone. People with cerebral palsy often experience instability when walking. Conversely, it also includes the inability to walk on their heels.
People with spinal cord abnormalities can also suffer from toe walking patterns. When a person has a tethered spinal cord or a spinal mass, there’s a chance that he could develop a toe walking pattern.
When you need to see a doctor
Experts say that if your kid is still walking on their toes after they reach two years old, then it’s best to speak with a general physician in Des Moines, IA. You should try to schedule an appointment if your child says that he’s experiencing tight leg muscles. You should also check if your child is experiencing any stiffness in their Achilles tendon. It’s also crucial to know if they are showing any signs of poor muscle coordination.
Doctors have noticed that children with autism spectrum disorders show higher chances of developing toe walking. It’s a group of psychological disorders that often affects a person’s ability to communicate. Even more, it also affects the way they socialize with others as well as their behavior.
These are only a few of the things that you need to know about toe walking. If you notice that your child is showing any signs of a different walking pattern aside from heel-to-toe walk, then it’s best to see a doctor about it. Doing so will help you get the right assessment of your child’s condition.