Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery

Commentary Nothing confounds a parent or grandparent more than watching their young child walk “abnormally.” Whether the concern is flat feet, in-toeing, or bowed legs, most of our orthopaedic care of these children consists of education and reassurance. However, when the family complains that their child is walking on his or her toes, red flags go up in the clinician’s mind. Does the child have cerebral palsy that has not been diagnosed, does the patient have muscular dystrophy, or is this a case of idiopathic or habitual toe-walking?