Does anyone know where to go for to get shoe inserts for a child who is spending too much time toe-walking?
My daughter still has not broken her habit of toe-walking. We are aware of the damaging physical side-effects this can cause and have been both monitoring her calves and working with her on counter exercises to maintain her muscle health. Fortunately, she has no muscle damage yet. Now we need to take action to help her break this habit, as her toe-walking is increasing.
I've heard you need a prescription from the Pediatrician. But when I asked my Pediatrician, she did not know what to write the Rx for...or where I should go. So now I don't know what to do next.
Does anyone know where we should go or how we should handle this? We are in the Western Suburbs.
It's been a year and a half since I posted this question. We saw a Pediatric Orthopaedic Physician at M&M Ortho and my daughter was fitted for day and night braces. Thankfully, her heel cord was fine and her calf muscles were slightly tightened -- but not enough to warrant physical therapy. After only seven months in the braces, the toe walking habit was broken and we discontinued use of the braces. it was a tough decision to make (I, initially, couldn't bear the thought of making her wear the braces) but it was simply not worth the risk of the potential physical damages that could occur. All's well that ends well!
I think you need to see a podiatrist or orthopedic doc for the proper rx. I used to work for both and they would write rx to have the inserts custom made.
good luck
Good Morning.
We also have a toe walker. At our four year appointment with the ped, she reccommended seeing a ped. phyiscal therapist to work on his toe walking. We took him to Spot 4 Kids in Oswego, they are wonderful. They evaluated him and we started working on exercises at home with him, which sounds like what you are doing. After about four appointments they recomennded inserts for his shoes. I can't even begin to tell you what a difference that they have made. He is still seeing them once a week and he LOVES going. Good luck.
Please have her evaluated by a pediatric orthopedic doctor. I used to work at M&M Orthopaedics, and they are phenomenol. I can personally vouch for Dr. Bueche and Dr. Lindell--they are terrific. If it is a problem with a tight heel cord, there is something they do called "serial casting" that will gradually stretch out the cord. M&M Orthopaedics's phone # is ###-###-#### and their website is mmortho.com. Good luck!
An Orthopaedist should be able to order orthotics for you. We got ours at a Chiropractor but apparently, they don't usually turn out well. Hope this helps. Good luck.
Hi! For the shoe insert itself, I highly recommend Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics. You can go to www.hanger.com for more info. They have an office near the Fox Valley Mall in Aurora, diagonally accross from the Great Escape. They will evaluate your daughter's walk, fit her shoe for the right thing, and make sure that it works with her footwear or tell you what else you will need. My son's physical therapist recommended them and I was very happy (he needed better arch support for his flat feet.) We have been to M&M Ortho as well and saw Dr. Bueche. I know that they are very highly regarded and are supposed to be the best in the area w/r/t pediatric orthpedics. However, we did not have a very good experience. My son's feet turn inward (pidgeon toe) as well as roll inward (pronate?) and it changes his gait and makes his walk really awkward. They did not want to treat at all. Their feeling was that he would grow out of it -- which may be true. But, I wanted to do something. I still think it is a good idea for the pediatric ortho consult. I only tell you this so if you go to M&M and they say that it isn't serious and don't want to treat, you can still pursue treatment on your own. Our pediatrician wrote a very general prescription which I took to Hanger -- it said something like "foot orthotics as indicated." I don't think you would even need a Rx to go to Hanger, but you might need it for insurance coverage. Good luck!
There are different causes of toe walking. It can be orthopedic. Tight heelcord muscles for example. Some kids also toe walk for sensory reasons. It gives them more input/is something that they seek out. I would recommend a few things. You could go to an orthopedist to try to determine the cause and they could prescribe the proper orthotics. You could also have a Physical Therapy evaluation to help determine if it's orthopedic vs. sensory and they could assist you in getting the prescription from your pediatrician. I'm a pediatric PT so shoot me a message if I can answer any more questions. M and M Orthopedics has a great team of pediatric orthopedists. They have several offices and you can find the number to call for appointments on their website. If you are interested in a PT evaluation there is a great clinic called Milestones for Kids Success in DG right at Butterfield and Finley near 355.
Several years ago I was fitted for foot orthodics for the treatment of plantar fasciitis by Scheck and Siress www.scheckandsiress.com or 1-866-SCHECK1. They are highly regarded and utilized by many hospitals. They have at least 10 locations. It was apparent from the office that they work with both adults and children.
You will need a doctor's order. The question is would it be better to seek an eval from an pediatric orthopedic doctor or a podiatrist. In my unprofessional opinion, I would think a podiatrist could address the issue adequately. Podiatrist Donald Nichols, DPM ###-###-#### www.dupagemedicalgroup.com has an office on Main St. in Wheaton across from the Smokehouse Restaurant. Dr. Nichols was able to write a very detailed order directing Scheck and Siress on the type of foot orthosis recommended. You might want to call Dr. Nichol's office first to confirm that indeed he does work with young children. I do recall seeing children in the waiting room but they were about 10 years of age and older.
I hope this helps. Good luck!
M. K, Please google CMT/Charcolt-Marie-Tooth. This is a disease or disorder that causes tip toe walking....often not diagnoised....but do your research and present it to her podiatrist....not her pediatrician, but a foot doctor. Good Luck.
I didn't think there was anything wrong with toe walking, my daughter whom is almost 6 does it and it doesn't seem to be affecting her badly.
What damage can actually happen? My husband will walk on his toes funny is it may seem....However I have 4 children and all 3 do it!!!! The baby isn't walking yet! It's kind of an unusual thing but more common than you would think. I have a friend that has always done it and both her daughters do it to! To add my husband has no issues nor do my children. I would take a deep breath....and not be alarmed unless you see any other physical changes. Best to your health..Is'nt mother hood fun...! Just to clarify my children and husband and friend I am talking about don't do it all the time. It's just periodicly. Best to your health and your families!
It sounds like she needs custom foot orthotics - that would be what to put on the RX from the pediatrician.
Research Design, Inc in Darien Illinois can provide the orthotics for you - phone number is ###-###-####. He specializes in pediatric orthotics. You might want to call and ask if custom foot orthotics would be the right thing for a toe walker, just let them know that she is a toe walker and the peds dr does not know what to order.
Good luck!
