Ask The Experts

My child is 5. He has a cold. He normally walks on his tip toes but took a nap yesterday and woke up saying his calf hurt and he couldn't walk so this morning he is walking but on his tip toes. Says it still hurts but no fever and he is in his normal spirits even with his cold. Please help - I'm not freaking out but still very concerned mother. How long should I wait? I don't want to panic every little thing that happens. I feel I'm his mother, know his habits well enough but I'm not a doctor and I've been researching and I know there are a few other possibilities. Please give me advice. Thanks.

Thank you for contacting us. IPFH does not diagnose conditions or recommend treatments on line. You would be best advised to contact a medical professional to discuss your son's condition. Toe walking when a child is just learning to walk is not unusual, but it usually passes after he or she has been walking for a while. The fact that your son is still toe walking at the age of 5 is not cause for concern as long as he is growing and maturing normally. Regarding the pain in his calf, in order to ease your mind and allay any concerns, we would suggest that you consult his pediatrician or your primary care practitioner -- we always recommend a conservative approach to be on the safe side. We hope you will do this, and that your son will soon be free of his calf pain.

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