If your child walks on tiptoe after he has learned to walk it should not be a sign of concern. Walking on tiptoe or tiptoe is doing them on the toes or metatarsals, without having direct contact with the heels on the ground. It is common to observe this behavior even months after they have started walking.
With the passage of time the boy or the girl can adopt a normal gait pattern, so there is no major concern regarding this behavior. But it should be noted that this way of walking does not adopt this modality because of physical or neurological problems.
Why does my child walk on tiptoe?
There are many children who go through this stage of the process and that is why it ends up being a passenger. Its consequence is unknown, but it may have an explanation due to the physiognomy of his foot. Most of the time it refers to this aspect and does not respond to any problem.
Children when they are born their feet are flat and rounded, due to a layer of fat that gives them that appearance. By 12 months they may be ready to walk, but their feet are still inexperienced and they present with bones not yet adapted and formed, with very elastic ligaments.
Over time the ligaments get stronger, the layer of fat is disappearing and the flat feet are taking shape, developing the shape of the arch. Until the age of three the foot will not be fully formed, and until then the baby may walk on tiptoe. You can do it all the time or sporadically, until you feel safe to support your entire foot.
Other cases for which your child walks on tiptoes
There are many reasons why your child can walk on tiptoe. Immature foot shape is one of the causes, but if your baby has been walking with the taca-taca or walker for a long time, it may have gotten used to doing it with the front of the foot. Without a doubt, this way of walking will disappear.
There are children who they acquire the Babinski reflex, A primary reflex. When stimulating the feet to start walking, it will be observed how the big toe of the skin moves upwards and the other toes are fanned out. This reflex is adopted when he has not yet started to walk, when he is still crawling or crawling. But if you haven't, the child will manifest it when he begins to walk and that is why he walks on tiptoe.
If the child has already passed a certain age and still continues with this gait, it can be derived to diseases not yet diagnosed. The Achilles tendon can be too short and does not allow the calf muscles to connect with the heel bone, so the foot will not touch the ground.
Muscular dystrophy It is another of the consequences, where the muscle fibers are prone to damage over time. Other reasons may be spina bifida, hydrocephalus, or cerebral palsy. It has also been associated with a neurological disorder such as autism or asperger syndrome.
Solutions and treatments
When in doubt and by not referring any solution where the child cannot walk naturally, always you have to consult a pediatrician. The professional will examine the mobility of the foot in case there is a shortening of the Achilles tendon or any other symptoms that prevent the proper development of the foot. However, if the child is three years old and continues to walk on tiptoe, it may be due to a neurological disorder.
It is not advisable for the child to walk on tiptoe for a long time, since multiple falls can be caused. Parents can help realize punctual massages with stretching in the area, also leaving them walk barefoot on the sand and grass to motivate their feelings and above all helping them with good footwear.