Toe Walking

What is Toe Walking?

Toe walking is a gait abnormality characterized by an absence of normal heel-to-floor contact (heel strike) by both feet during gait, with the forefoot engaging in the majority of floor contact throughout the gait cycle. Toe walking has multiple etiologies, ranging from idiosyncratic habit to profound neuromuscular disease.

Critical to the management of toe walking is the exclusion of neurologic or muscular diseases as a cause of the perceived gait abnormality. Treatment depends on the patient’s age and severity of the gait abnormality. Specific treatment options range from simple observation to surgical lengthening of muscles or tendons in the lower extremity.

Toe walking is sometimes the result of cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy or another generalized disease of nerve and muscle. Children with autism also may walk on their toes or the balls of their feet, but many do not.

How can VIHBRA help in Toe Walking rehabilitation?

VIHBRA has a special environment for children walking on toes only. Heel toe shifting is a great exercise for the ankle and calf muscles. During this activity the centre of gravity will shift within the limits of stability and can work as an assessment tool. It will strengthen all muscles of the lower leg, as well as help improve proprioception or balance

Child is made to play games and in the process trained to maintain the balance by putting pressure under left/right toe and heel.