Gait Abnormalities

When children begin to walk, it sometimes happens that they walk with their feet turned inward or outward, or even on “tiptoes.” There are also situations, such as after a healed fracture, where the child feels insecure and hesitates to bear weight on the affected limb. Most cases that do not resolve spontaneously and do not have a neurological origin are usually due to muscular imbalances (muscle shortening or weakness) that hinder “correct” walking. Early evaluation of the child’s posture by a physiotherapist allows them to identify the affected muscles and prescribe appropriate exercises. This also prevents the child from developing improper walking habits, which would be more difficult to correct in the future. In most cases, the child will perform simple exercises as reinforcement at home.