I don’t really like sharing personal information about my kids, partly for safety and partly because I don’t have their permission – and let’s face it, the internet is forever. But I’m fed up with the so called experts.
Anyway, Pete started walking on his toes when he was two. We thought it was cute and called him twinkle toes behind his back. Lots of kids walk on their toes starting at age two, but most stop, so we weren’t worried about it and in fact didn’t even think to worry about it.
Over the next few years, he continued to walk on his toes and we always corrected him. When he wore shoes, he was good at hiding his walk, so we still didn’t worry – much and the doctors all said he would probably outgrow it.
Notice the wear on his shoes. The heels look brand new while the toe area is getting smooth. These shoes are two months old. He usually wears a hole in the toe area.
Fast forward a few years and we are getting Pete’s check-up done for school. I mention to his doctor (for like the third year in a row) that we were concerned that Pete was still on his toes and was there anything we needed to do. He said going to school would probably do the trick. (Huh?) The kids would tease him about it and he would probably stop, he said with a chuckle. I wasn’t laughing and that began my search for another doctor. (Incidentally, this also started my research on homeschooling.)
BN and I became diligent about stretching his legs and calling him on it when we saw him toe walking. He’s been in gymnastics for several years and that is all about stretching. None of that helped. I knew we needed help with this.
As the “experts” seemed to be morons, I decided to research it on my own. I swear I should have a medical degree for all the things I’ve had to research on my own, but nevertheless I did it and was disturbed to read that if a child doesn’t stop walking on his toes by age 7-8, it becomes hardwired in their brain to walk this way, not to mention the physical problems associated with it.
I took Pete to see a pediatric foot surgeon. He agreed with me that he should not still be walking on his toes. Pete suffers from extremely tight Achilles tendons and muscles. When he stands flatfooted, he has to splay his feet outwards, and only for short periods of time – it’s too painful. Standing with toes facing straight ahead is not something he can do. In addition to the “appearance of toe walking”, walking on his heels is needed for proper bone growth. Toe walkers will have small heels and wide feet in the toe area. This can cause problems down the road.
Degrees of physical problems from toe walking range from the very minor to the extreme. The more severe issues require surgery. Toe walking may also be a sign of a more serious condition such as cerebral palsy. Barring any neurological or orthopedic abnormalities, a toe walker is considered an idiopathic toe walker, meaning the toe walking is habitual or may stem from congenital short Achilles tendon. If your child can actually get his heels to touch the ground, and no other conditions are present, there are less invasive procedures prescribed. Pete presents as an idiopathic toe walker, thankfully. (can you tell I took medical terminology in college?) 
We went today for his fitting of an orthotic boot. They made a cast of his lower legs with his feet at a 90 degree angle to his legs. I could see him straining from the effort. The “boots” will be sculpted from these casts to insure proper fit and no pressure points. Pete will have to wear these each night while he sleeps for an undetermined amount of time. I think this first go round will last seven weeks before we go back to see the surgeon for a reassessment.
He also requires physical therapy three times a week for the next seven weeks. The diagnosis is “bilateral heel cord contracture”.
If you have a little *twinkle toes* in your life, pay attention. It may just be a phase for your child, but it could be something more. Always follow your gut.
~R
** I do not hold a degree in medicine and am not an expert on toe walking. This post is a synopsis of my observations of my own son and his experience with toe walking. I will post more on this as we go along**
***That was quite therapeutic. I may have to spill my guts on here about other issues we are having***
Filed under: Homeschool
I found your blog on someone else’s blogroll and just had to check it out since I am also a robin with a nest (see my blog.) Imagine my surprise when I also find we have something else in common. My son is also a toe-walker. He’s done it since he was little and like you, I never could get a doctor to investigate further until last year. He’s now 12, still toe-walking even after month of p.t. The ped neuro we finally got an appt with found some other surprising symptoms that all the other docs and specialists missed. He’s calling it mild CP.
I hope your son gets good results from the boots. Best wishes to you!
I’m wondering why this couldn’t have gone on that other blog of yours.
I hope the boot helps him out. I wish you the best of luck! High 5 to you for not giving in and giving up!
I think you moved over here to lose the crowd – am I right? I missed reading your blog so I thought I would come check out your new one and learn about homeschooling.
I have an eight year old twinkle toes in my life. I have done all of the same stuff that you have. The physical therapy was a complete waste of time and money. My son goes through phases with it. He will toe walk right after he has a growth spurt.
I remember a girl in school being a toe walker. Sirdar is an idiopathic toe walker. He has a wide toe area and because his toes curled up in his shoes (he would put heels down in shoes, but his toes would go up), he would put holes in the top of his shoes. When he got orthodics, his problem got better. He still walks on his toes in the house but not as much. He started when he was young, so not to make too much noise on the creeky floors. His great niece was a toe walker and at 12 had the tendon surgery. I think she still walks on her toes but it is better now as she can actually put her heals down without pain. I am not sure why any doctor wouldn’t know this stuff or be concerned; it seems pretty common and even the non doctors out there know there is something to be concerned about.
This was very interesting! I remember one of my younger cousins (she’s Caleb’s age) had issues with toe walking, but I don’t remember whether or not this was specifically addressed. This kid has lots of other issues which probably required more urgent attention. Anyway, I think it’s great for you to post about things like this. You never know who might run across this little post and be helped by it. I know I’ll keep it in my mental files in case I come across a little “twinkle toes”. It’s so frustrating as a parent when you know something isn’t right and you are doing everything you know to do by asking the experts only the “experts” don’t know shit. The average parent will just give up, assuming that the experts know more than they do.