Best Orthopedic Shoes for Toe Walking Children
Do you have a child who has been diagnosed with idiopathic toe walking and your medical professional recommends buying a pair of orthopedic shoes? Maybe your medical professional told you that your child’s toe walking will “resolve on its own” and it’s you the one who wants to be proactive and take early action. This behavior, often overlooked, can have long-term implications if not addressed promptly.
My Experience Fitting Shoes for Toe Walking Children
As a passionate shoe fitter, I’m here to help guide you through this process and offer personalized anti-toe walking shoe recommendations that cater to your child’s unique needs.
I always remember something that a podiatrist told me when I first started fitting children’s shoes: It’s important to be proactive with children and their treatment since the first seven years of their life are “golden years of treatment opportunity”. During these seven years permanent structural changes of the foot and lower extremity may be relatively easy to obtain with treatments such as orthotics, supportive shoes, and therapeutic exercises.
Is It Normal for Children to Walk On Their Toes?
Toe walking is completely normal under the age of two. When children are learning how to walk, they like to try different foot postures. Children are more likely to toe walk when they are cruising and holding onto furniture.
If your child continues to toe walk after the age of two, then I suggest seeking medical advice. I don’t mean to alarm you, but when it comes to treating toe walking and other children’s foot conditions, the earlier you take action, the better. Persistent toe walking can lead to muscle tightness and imbalance, affecting the child’s overall posture and gait.
Can Orthopedic Shoes Help Prevent Toe Walking?
That depends on a case-to-case basis. A lot of families have had a lot of success fitting children in orthopedic shoes, but it’s not a total guarantee. It ultimately depends on the degree of your child’s underlying condition. That being said, I have seen how orthopedic shoes can be particularly beneficial for children who toe walk, as they offer the necessary structure to encourage a heel-to-toe walking pattern.
Success Stories – Families Testimonials
Many families have experienced positive results after using orthopedic shoes to address their child’s toe walking. These testimonials from parents highlight the impact these shoes can have on a child’s walking pattern and overall well-being.
Please remember that how effective orthopedic shoes will be for your child directly depends on the degree of your child’s condition.
Key Features of the Orthopedic Shoes I Recommend
When selecting orthopedic shoes for a child who toe walks, it is important to consider several key features that can make a significant difference:
First Feature: Rigid Front. A rigid front in orthopedic shoes serves a vital function by preventing the foot from bending excessively. This rigidity encourages a more natural walking pattern, supporting the foot’s arch and promoting heel contact with the ground. By restricting excessive flexion, the rigid front helps guide the foot into a more traditional heel-to-toe motion, which can be crucial in correcting toe walking habits.
Second Feature: Thomas Heel. This feature aids in preventing the inward rolling of the foot, which can contribute to toe walking. A Thomas heel can help the child maintain proper alignment and reduce the likelihood of toe walking over time.
Third Feature: Thermoplastic Asymmetric Stiff Heel Counter. This feature is particularly beneficial for children with weak ankle muscles, offering the necessary reinforcement to maintain proper posture and alignment. By stabilizing the ankle, this feature can significantly reduce the tendency to toe walk.
Can Orthopedic Shoes Replace Your Kids’ SMOs or AFOs?
This is a question that your medical professional should be able to answer. Orthopedic shoes can complement orthotics, offering additional benefits, but should not replace them without professional guidance.
In my experience, while orthopedic shoes can provide excellent support and are a valuable tool in addressing toe walking, they are not a direct replacement for specialized orthotics like SMOs or AFOs. These orthotics are custom-made to address specific medical conditions and offer a level of support that orthopedic shoes cannot match. With that said, many families have tried orthopedic shoes as their children refuse to wear their SMOs and AFOs (mainly due to discomfort), and they had good success with them.
Orthopedic shoes can provide the necessary structure and support to encourage proper foot placement. Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links and we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you click our links and make purchases.
Best Orthopedic Anti Toe Walking Shoes for Kids
As a shoe fitter, I’ve curated a list of orthopedic shoes that have proven effective in managing toe walking in children. Each shoe on this list has been selected based on its design, support features, and feedback from parents and children alike.
1. Shoe Style Gabi by Memo
These orthopedic shoes for kids offer a high, supportive heel and a firm outsole that helps in stabilizing the foot and encouraging a heel-to-toe gait.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- You can order the shoe style Gabi by Memo on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Also available in a Mary Jane style and a version for older kids called Memo Polo
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
2. Polo by Memo
These high-quality orthopedic anti toe walking shoes are designed to support children who struggle with toe walking. Featuring a unique structure that helps promote a proper gait, this shoe encourages natural heel-to-toe movement.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- You can order the shoe style Polo by Memo on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and stabilization
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
3. Princessa by Memo
These anti toe walking shoes are stylish and comfortable. They offer the perfect combination of support and flexibility to help children develop a more balanced and healthy gait.
Key Features
- Order the shoe style Princessa Corrective by Memo on Amazon
- Fits medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Extra depth and width for orthotics
- Rigid heel counter
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
4. Princepard
These high-top orthopedic shoes are designed to help children with toe walking by promoting proper foot alignment and encouraging a natural, heel-to-toe gait. Its high-top design offers additional ankle support, while the firm heel and structured sole stabilize the foot and prevent excessive toe walking.
Key Features
- Order this orthopedic shoe by Princepard on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Triple Velcro straps for better support and stability
- Rigid heel counter
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
Read This Before Ordering the Shoes: How to Get the Correct Shoe Size
Most families are tempted to buy their children’s shoes on the bigger side so they can wear them longer. However, if you get your kids’ shoes too big, you will make it easier for your child to get on his or her toes.
To order the correct shoe size online, you must first know your child’s foot length and shape. It’s a good idea to order your kids’ shoes in two different sizes just to be on the safer side, but you probably don’t want to order the shoes in multiple sizes hoping one size will fit. I created a virtual shoe fitting service that will help you retrieve your child’s exact shoe size from home.
Don’t underestimate the importance of fitting your child in the correct shoe size. Some families noticed an immediate difference as soon as they fitted the child in the correct shoe size.
Contact Me Via Email for Specific Shoe Recommendations
Every child’s foot is unique, and finding the right shoe can make a significant difference in their walking pattern and overall comfort. If you’re unsure about which orthopedic shoes are best for your child, feel free to contact me via email for personalized recommendations. I’ll take into account your child’s foot shape, walking pattern, and any specific concerns you have to suggest the best options.
Do You Know the Reason Why Your Child Toe Walks?
I have noticed that when the child’s medical professional is not able to determine the reason why the child toe walks, it is diagnosed as “idiopathic”. This means that the exact cause is not known and the child continues to toe walk because he or she has a preference to do so. Several physical and occupational therapists who refer children to the shoe store that I work for told me the four most common reasons why children toe walk:
1. Habitual Toe Walking: Often, toe walking is a learned behavior without any underlying medical cause. It can develop simply out of preference or a habit that the child has formed.
2. Shortened Achilles Tendon: In some cases, a shortened Achilles tendon can limit the range of motion of the ankle, resulting in a toe-walking gait. Physical therapy or medical intervention might be required to address this.
3. Neurological Conditions: Certain neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, can contribute to toe walking. These conditions might affect muscle tone or coordination, necessitating specialized care.
4. Sensory Processing Disorders: Children with sensory processing issues might prefer the sensation of walking on their toes, finding it more comfortable or engaging than the typical heel-to-toe motion. Understanding this preference is key in addressing the root of the behavior.
What Are the Best Shoe Alternatives to Orthopedic Shoes?
While orthopedic shoes are specifically designed to offer specialized support, there are alternative supportive shoes that can also be effective in addressing toe walking. These alternatives provide a balance between style and function, offering practical solutions for parents seeking options beyond traditional orthopedic designs.
Orthopedic shoes retail anywhere from $80 to $125, and I am well aware that not all families can invest in a pair of orthopedic shoes for a growing child. For that reason, I created a different resource that provides a list of anti-toe walking sneakers for children who toe walk.
I know it can be extremely frustrating for parents to watch their children toe walk and have it dismissed, ignored, or underrated by many healthcare provides. My final piece of advice is to not let your medical professional brush off your child’s toe walking by saying your child will eventually grow out of it. I know you are worried and want to find a solution, so get a second or even a third opinion if necessary from someone who might have a different approach.
