Serial Casting for Toe Walking

Please, definitely follow the medical recommendations.

I have step-family members who waited too long and thought it was just something their son would "grow out of". He ended up having to have surgeries, then the casting, then the PT. It was an ordeal.

Their younger daughter had the same condition and you'd think after everything with their son that they would have intervened earlier. But, they didn't.

It's got to be easier on the kid to deal with it earlier. I've only seen what happens if you don't.

Best wishes.

From what I can find, it says if it "does not resolve spontaneously by age 3 years, treatment should be considered.".

So if he's 4 going on 5 it sounds like now is a good time for it.
It might even be a little on the late side - so waiting longer might make resolving it worse.
4 yrs for many kids is when they get a major growth spurt.
My son shot up 4 inches that year - the growing pains were awful (although toe walking was not something with which he had a problem).
With all the growing they are doing, it's important to get those muscles stretched because it SO affects their ability to run and walk (and skip and jump).

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1235248-treatment

you might want to ask about Botox injections separately or in conjunction with the casting.

you mihgt want to ask if surgrey to cut/nick the heel cord would eventually be needed if you didn't do the casting.

ASk how long the effects last.

my dd had something similar and it helped for less than a year and she began to tighten again.
Our PT hasn'st really involved any massage other than telling me to do it at home, but i've wondered if that and if Chiropractic care might help too. My DH isn't on board so i can't go that route.

I would say his age is right though. We did it before DD started kindergarten because we didn't want to deal with that as she was adjusting.
We will probably ahve another surgery in third grade . But again she has a different issue.

ask for message boards or internet sites that might help.

Have you seen an orthopedic doctor? Did they suggest leg braces (AFO's). My son has been in treatment for toe walking since last spring. His ortho suggested the AFO's instead of casting. He is also getting PT. His range of motion has improved and he is walking on his toes less when his braces are off. He still needs reminders sometimes, but he has shown improvement. He will probably have to wear the AFO's for the full year based on how it's going so far. He's also going for an OT evaluation at the end of this month as it seems he may have some sensory issues. He walks on his toes the most when he's barefoot on the tile floor. He cannot stand having his heels touch the cold floor, so that's a factor in it too.

If given the choice, I would do the AFO's over casting.

Good luck!