Children who experience pain when they attempt to touch the floor with their heels may toe walk to avoid the pain. Orthopedic conditions affect the musculoskeletal system, including the bones and joints. Inflammatory diseases such as arthritis may also lead to toe walking. Congenital talipes equinovarus, or club foot, and calcaneal apophysitis, an inflammation of the heel’s growth plate, also cause toe walking. In some cases, orthopedic issues can be progressive and get worse over time, but most respond well to treatment.

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