If you watch a 1 year old wobble around, you’ll notice that her gait, or walking cycle, doesn’t quite resemble that of an adult. She’ll have a wider stance, rapid cadence, and short steps. In fact, it takes up till age 7 for kids to display clear adult walking patterns.
There can be some obvious gait abnormalities in a child’s early years, but many of these disturbances are quite common and correct themselves on their own. In some cases, your child may require medical assistance.
To explore this topic further, we spoke to Dr Mohd Noor Azam Bin Mohd Ithnin, Consultant Orthopedic & Paediatric Orthopedic Surgeon at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur on when parents should, and should not worry about abnormal gait in their children.
WHAT IS ABNORMAL GAIT?
Abnormal gait is a walking style or pattern that is different from other typical children of the same age. Some of it may include:
- Walking on toes (or toe walking) at the age of 3
- Bowlegged at the age of 2
- In-toeing at the age of 10
- Or suddenly not walking or refusing to walk
NORMAL VARIATIONS OF GAIT IN CHILDREN
Some of the normal variations of gait in children that you don’t necessarily have to worry about include:
Toe walking
(Common up to 3 years old)
It is common for children who are beginning to walk and would usually stop after a few months.
In-toeing
(Most common between ages 3 – 8 years old)
This is when a child walks with knees and feet walking inwards, which could be due to a number of causes, such as when your child’s bones are not aligned.
Bow Legs
(Most resolve by 18 months old)
Bow legs are common from birth to early toddlerhood. In this case, the legs curve outwards at the knee when standing and are often accompanied with out-toeing.
Knock Knees
(Most resolve by 7 years old)
This is a condition opposite from bow legs, where the feet tend to stay apart when they stand with knees together. It is also common and associated with in-toeing.
Flat Feet
(Most resolve by 6 years old)
Flat feet, or “fallen arches”, are where your feet press flat on the ground. It usually does not cause any problem and shouldn’t stop you or your child from doing activities.
Check if your child has achieved these milestones:
WHEN SHOULD YOU WORRY?
#1 – Pain
One of the biggest indicators of when you should worry, is pain. While some children are able to tell you they’re in pain, younger children who can’t talk yet might limit or refuse their usual activities. According to Dr Azam, some clues that children might convey include refusing to walk, a change in their walking pattern, refusing to eat or becoming restless.
#2 – Normal Gait Variant Progressing Beyond Expected Age
Besides that, parents should also worry if the normal gait variant in children persists beyond the expected age. For example, children who persist in toe walking after the age of 3 are more likely to have autism or other delayed developmental conditions.
Children who persist in toe walking after the age of 3 are more likely to have autism or other delayed developmental conditions.- Dr Mohd Noor Azam
#3 – Asymmetry Abnormality
You should also seek medical advice if the abnormal gait is asymmetric, which means that only one side of the lower limb is affected instead of both. So, referring to the normal variation of gait mentioned above, if only one side is affected – that’s when you have to worry.
In most cases, abnormal gait is managed primarily by observation and would resolve on its own. However, for more serious cases, treatment may involve physical therapy, casting or even surgery.
Remember to always seek medical advice or assistance from your doctor or qualified clinician whenever you are unsure or are worried about something out of the ordinary.
