Specialized Care for Children Who Toe Walk
The Reach Center’s Toe Walking Clinic provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for children who persistently walk on their toes. Our multidisciplinary team of specialists works together to identify the underlying causes of toe walking and develop personalized treatment plans to improve your child’s gait and overall function.
Understanding Toe Walking
Toe walking refers to a pattern where a child walks on the balls of their feet without putting their heels down. While toe walking is normal in children just learning to walk (typically before age 2), persistent toe walking beyond this age may indicate an underlying condition that needs attention.
Common Causes of Toe Walking
Toe walking can have various causes, including:
Idiopathic Toe Walking:
The most common cause, with no specific underlying medical condition.
Neurological Conditions:
Such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy.
Musculoskeletal Issues:
Including tight heel cords (Achilles tendons), leg length discrepancies, or foot abnormalities.
Sensory Processing Differences:
Some children toe walk due to sensory seeking behaviors or sensory sensitivities.
Habitual Pattern:
Sometimes toe walking becomes a habit that persists even after the initial cause is resolved.
When to Seek Help
Parents should consider an evaluation if:
- Toe walking persists beyond age 2-3.
- The child cannot put their heels down when asked.
- Toe walking is accompanied by other developmental concerns.
- There’s a family history of neurological conditions.
- The child experiences pain, falls frequently, or has difficulty with certain activities.
Our Multidisciplinary Approach
At the Reach Center, we believe in the power of collaboration. Our Toe Walking Clinic brings together experts from different disciplines to provide the most thorough evaluation and effective treatment recommendations in a single, convenient appointment.
Our team includes:
- Dr. Kelly Pham, MD – Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physician
- Kate Grassmeyer, DPT – Pediatric Physical Therapist from Good Beginnings
- Amy Braunschweiger, MS, CPO – Orthotist from Infinite Technologies
What to Expect
During your visit to our Toe Walking Clinic, your child will receive a comprehensive evaluation from all three specialists who will assess:
- Underlying medical conditions or neurological factors
- Muscle strength, flexibility, and coordination
- Biomechanics of gait and movement patterns
- Need for orthotic intervention
Following the evaluation, our team will collaborate to develop personalized recommendations that may include:
- Physical therapy interventions
- Custom orthotic devices
- Home exercise programs
- Medical management strategies
Treatment Approaches
Depending on the cause and severity of toe walking, our team may recommend:
- Physical Therapy: To improve flexibility in tight heel cords and calf muscles
- Orthotics: Custom foot braces or inserts to encourage proper foot positioning
- Serial Casting: Progressive casts to gradually stretch tight muscles
- Occupational Therapy: For children with sensory processing differences.
Why Choose Our Toe Walking Clinic?
- Comprehensive Care: Receive evaluations from three specialists in one appointment
- Convenience for Families: Save time with coordinated scheduling
- Collaborative Approach: Benefit from our team’s combined expertise
- Personalized Treatment Plans: Receive interventions tailored to your child’s specific needs
Meet Our Team
Dr. Kelly Pham, MD
Dr. Pham is a board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor with expertise in both pediatric and adult care. She specializes in cerebral palsy, complex tone management (including spasticity and dystonia), concussion, toe walking, and gait and bracing (orthotics). Dr. Pham is committed to educating patients and their families about their diagnoses while improving their lives through excellent care.
Kate Grassmeyer, DPT
Kate is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with extensive experience in developmental and therapeutic exercise, gait training, NDT, Brain Gym, neuromuscular re-education, and kinesiotaping. As a certified Clinical Instructor and Early Intervention Specialist, Kate has worked in private therapy, school systems, and home settings through Arlington County.
Amy Braunschweiger, MS, CPO
Amy is a Certified Prosthetist-Orthotist with a graduate degree in Orthotics from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and additional prosthetics training from the University of Hartford. She specializes in pediatric orthotic treatment and serves as Clinical Director at Infinite Technologies. Amy has worked closely with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation centers, and local physical therapy clinics as a consulting practitioner.
Referral Information
Physicians can refer patients to our Toe Walking Clinic by contacting our office directly. Please include relevant medical history and previous interventions in your referral.
Contact Us
To schedule an appointment or learn more about our Toe Walking Clinic, please contact:
The Reach Center (571) 310-2502
Serving children and families throughout the greater Washington, DC area.