Effect of persistent toe walking on ankle equinus. Analysis of 60 idiopathic toe walkers

J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 1997 Jan;87(1):17-22. doi: 10.7547/87507315-87-1-17.

Abstract

Sixty idiopathic toe walkers (age range 1 to 15 years) were evaluated to determine the natural history of toe-to-toe gait and the relationship between the range of ankle dorsiflexion and increasing age. The majority of toe walkers had a normal birth weight (average 7.06 pounds), walked on time (average 11.14 months), began toe walking immediately (87%), stood plantigrade (90%), were able to demonstrate a heel-toe gait (88%), and toe walked intermittently (68%). Forty-six percent of all toe walkers were found to have 0 degree or less of passive ankle dorsiflexion. Equinus toe walkers (mean dorsiflexion -5.2 degrees) had significantly less dorsiflexion than the remaining toe walkers (mean dorsiflexion 16.9 degrees; p < 0.01). An average of 12 degrees of dorsiflexion was resent in the 1-to 2-year age group, which gradually diminished to -4 degrees in the 6- to 15-year age group. It appears that there may be a relationship between persistent toe walking and the development of ankle equinus in some children and therefore interventions should be considered to inhibit the toe walking progression.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Ankle / physiopathology*
  • Child
  • Child Development
  • Child, Preschool
  • Equinus Deformity / etiology
  • Equinus Deformity / genetics
  • Equinus Deformity / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Gait* / genetics
  • Gait* / physiology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Toes*
  • Walking* / physiology