Orthotics for toe walking/pacing?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-19-2005
Orthotics for toe walking/pacing?
5
Wed, 10-12-2005 - 5:17pm

Today our OT suggested we get orthotics for Eric b/c he is pronating a bit. She asked the PT for her opinion and PT agreed. Eric has also been toe-walking much more lately, and as discussed in other threads, he is a pacer too.

The PT suggested we try some orthotics that are also weighted and can help prevent toe-walking when he has shoes on. Both OT and PT said they have seen some decrease in stims in some children, as the orthotic provides a little proprioceptive stimulation to the feet.

Eric does not have that ligament shortening problem. He toe walked when he was little, quit, and is now doing it again. I thought he only did it barefoot, but the PT could tell from the wear of his shoes (don't ask me how?!) that he also toe walks when wearing shoes, we just couldn't see it as easily.

So this seems like a good low-tech solution. They are kind of expensive, only b/c one the fastest growing thing on Eric is his feet!

I'll let you know how this works once we get them. When Eric was being fitted he LOVED them. He kept saying, "Mama, this feels GOOD!" and wanted to take the samples home!

Katherine

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Wed, 10-12-2005 - 6:37pm

Katherine,

Good luck with it and please let us know how he does. I am interested for Peter. He is an extremely balletic toe-walker, (watches TV on three-quarter pointe) and I do worry about the ligament thing. He is also a foot sensory seeker -if YKWIM, so I am wondering if this may work help him in that regard, also?

-Paula

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-23-2003
Thu, 10-13-2005 - 12:09am

I'm delurking to say I have a toe walking 4 year old and I'm very interested in your experience. So far, everyone I've talked to has said that he will outgrow it, but I read posts on the Internet about people who never did and wish they had done something about it when they were younger.

Please keep us apprised of your orthotics experience.

Judy
mom to Owen 4.10 months

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-19-2005
Thu, 10-13-2005 - 6:41am

I will definitely let you all know how it goes. They are custom made, so it may take a couple of weeks before we get them.

Also, just wanted to share that I have a cousin with two AS kids, and she said orthotics did really help her son who was also a toe walker/pacer. She agreed with that it helped with the "feet" sensory seekers. It's about $80 for the first set then cheaper after that. Of course, our insurance does not cover, but some may.

Stay tuned!

Katherine

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2003
Thu, 10-13-2005 - 7:35am

thanks for sharing Katherine. :)

Samantha

Samantha
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Thu, 10-13-2005 - 9:11am

I just want to state for the record, as a toe walking adult, that it is not always a bad thing. I didn't/don't toe-walk *all the time* (usually only when barefoot) and never shortened my Achilles tendon.

-Paula

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com