Toe walking – a condition characterized by a child walking on his or her tiptoes – is one of the most common gross motor deficits in children on the autism spectrum. Evaluation and treatment may be required once a child is able to walk unassisted, but continues to walk on his or her toes or the balls of the feet. Although behavioral interventions and physical therapy can produce positive outcomes in children with autism who walk on their toes, a podiatrist can also play an essential role in your child's treatment.
Role of the Podiatrist
Although toe walking in children with ASD may be due to tactile sensitivity or
Certain
Treating Equinus Contracture
Although toe walking is normal in many toddlers when they are first learning to walk, a podiatrist can assess the situation if your child fails to outgrow the habit. Evaluation is important, as prolonged toe walking that goes
For a mild problem, a doctor may recommend physical therapy that includes stretching exercises to stretch the heel cord and calf muscles. When stretching exercise isn't effective, serial casting is a treatment option for stretching the Achilles tendon that involves weekly or biweekly cast changes. But extended use of casting can weaken the muscles.
Some doctors recommend specialized orthotics to treat equinus contracture of the foot or ankle in children. Custom-fitted orthotics help prevent toe walking caused by muscle spasticity from getting worse as a child grows.
If your child's toe walking is due to a muscle disorder, the use of botulinum toxin (Botox) treatment can relax tightened calf muscles. But when this or other non-surgical treatments fail to correct the problem, your child may need surgery to lengthen the Achilles tendon. To learn more, speak with someone like North Hill Foot & Ankle Clinic foot injuries.
Share6 April 2016
When I started working out every day, I encountered a strange problem. My feet always seemed to hurt, and I didn't know what to do. If it wasn't an ingrown toenail, it was a sore arch or a throbbing heel. Instead of writing off the problem as a simple inconvenience, I decided to meet with a podiatrist who could diagnose the issues. As I talked with the professional, I learned that my foot problems probably stemmed from different issues, and he targeted each one with a different treatment. After a few weeks, my feet felt a lot better. This blog is all about how a podiatrist can help you to solve your foot problems.