Toe walking

Toe walking in children might be part of normal development, occasionally persists as “idiopathic toe walking”, but can also be a sign of significant underlying orthopaedic or neuromuscular pathology. In this collaboration between the Royal College of Podiatry (RCPod) and Orthopaedic Research UK (ORUK), Professor Cylie Williams of Monash University joins paediatric orthopaedic surgeons Michalis Kokkinakis and Gavin Spence to discuss getting the diagnosis right, red flags, referrals, evidence based management, and how we can collaborate across specialities in the best interests of the patients.

Target audience:

MSK podiatrists, orthopaedic registrars and consultants

Recorded 6 March 2023

Additional reading material: 

Caserta, A.; Morgan, P.; McKay, M. J.; Baldwin, J. N.; Burns, J.; Williams, C. Children with idiopathic toe walking display differences in lower limb joint ranges and strength compared to peers: A case control study. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 2022, 15.

Caserta, A.; Morgan, P.; Williams, C. Exploration of physiotherapists’ use of motor control strategies for the treatment of idiopathic toe walking in children: A qualitative study. BMJ Open 2022, 12.

Caserta, A.; Reedman, S.; Morgan, P.; Williams, C. M. Physical activity and quality of life in children with idiopathic toe walking: A cross sectional study. BMC Pediatrics 2022, 22.

Gray, K.; Pacey, V.; Caserta, A.; Polt, D.; Williams, C. Development of the idiopathic toe walking outcome (itwo) proforma: A modified delphi study and online parent survey for Measurement Consensus. Gait & Posture 2023, 99, 111–118.

Williams, C.; Robson, K.; Pacey, V.; Gray, K. American and Australian family experiences while receiving a diagnosis or having treatment for idiopathic toe walking: A qualitative study. BMJ Open 2020, 10.

Serial Casting Podcast:

Check out the latest episode of the “Serial Casting” podcast for podiatrists, which addresses “Toe Walking in Children”

Listen to “Serial Casting” on your favourite podcast platform