Treatment

If your child is toe walking out of habit, treatment isn't needed. He or she is likely to outgrow the habit. Your doctor might simply monitor your child's gait during office visits.

If a physical problem is contributing to toe walking, treatment options might include:

• Physical therapy. Gentle stretching of the leg and foot muscles might improve your child's gait.
• Leg braces or splints. Sometimes these help promote a normal gait.
• Serial casting. If physical therapy or leg braces aren't helpful, your doctor might suggest trying a series of below-the-knee casts to progressively improve the ability to bring the toes toward the shin.
• OnabotulinumtoxinA. Injections into the calf muscles are sometimes used to help promote a normal gait.
• Surgery. If conservative treatments fail, the doctor might recommend surgery to lengthen the muscles or tendons at the back of the lower leg.

If the toe walking is associated with cerebral palsy, autism or other problems, treatment focuses on the underlying condition.