Best Child Neurologist in Manikganj - Book Appointment

The Heel Test You Can Watch at Home

You cannot diagnose anything in your living room. But you can watch one simple thing. When your child stands still, do the heels come down? When he walks slowly, or runs, does the pattern change?

Some children can put their heels down when reminded, then drift back up. Others cannot get the heel flat at all, even standing still. That difference matters. A shortened heel cord needs different help from a habit that is slowly fading.

Watch the whole child too. Is he keeping up with other milestones? Is one leg clearly stiffer than the other? Note what you see for a few weeks and bring it along.

What the Neurologist Checks, Leg by Leg

The examination is hands-on and unhurried. The doctor moves each foot gently to feel how far the heel cord stretches. Leg tone is checked on both sides. Reflexes are tapped and compared.

Hips get attention too, along with the spine and the way your child squats, climbs, and walks. The doctor will ask about the birth, early walking, and whether anyone in the family walked on toes. Development is reviewed too, because toe-walking sometimes travels with other delays.

Most of the time, no scans or tests are needed at the first visit. Hands and eyes do the work. If anything unusual shows up, the doctor will explain what it might mean. A child specialist in Manikganj can share the follow-up, so growth and general development stay watched between visits.

Help Is Usually Gentle and Slow

When the heel cords are tight, stretching and physiotherapy are the usual first steps. A therapist shows you the movements, and the real work happens in short sessions at home. Progress is measured in months, not days.

If toe-walking is simply a stubborn habit with flexible heels, the plan may be watchful waiting with reviews. Some children need more than therapy, and a few may require referral to a higher-level centre for further assessment. Ask your doctor whether that applies to your child.

Whatever the plan, flat shoes and bare feet on safe ground give the heels their best chance to practise coming down.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is toe-walking normal in toddlers?

Often, yes. Many new walkers do it for a few months and stop on their own. It deserves a check when it remains the main pattern past age two or three.

What if only one foot stays on its toes?

Mention it clearly at the visit. One-sided toe-walking is a detail the doctor will want to examine carefully, because the two legs should behave alike.

Can tight heel cords fix themselves?

A mild habit can fade by itself. A heel cord that has truly shortened usually needs stretching work, not just time. The examination tells the two apart.

Will my child need an operation?

Most children never do. Therapy and watching come first. Surgery is considered only in a small number of stubborn cases, after other steps.

Should I buy special shoes?

Ask the doctor first. Ordinary firm shoes are usually fine, and no shoe replaces the examination or the stretching plan.

How soon should I expect change?

Slowly. Heel cords stretch over weeks and months. Short, regular practice at home matters more than occasional long sessions.