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TOE
WALKING The treatments are based on the severity as well as the patient’s medical history. Treatment may include physical therapy to gradually stretch the gastroc soleus and Achilles complex. Serial casting may be an option as well. The cast is changed every week with the foot placed increasingly toward 90 degrees relative to the ankle at each casting. Ankle Foot Orthotics (AFO’s) may be utilized as well. An AFO is a brace for both the foot and the ankle. Modifications can be prescribed to inhibit toe walking. The brace is often used for a period of several months. Orthopedic foot wear is available to accommodate the brace. Modern orthopedic foot wear for children is stylish and orthopedic sneaker options are available as well. The AFO’s are not visible with pants and foot wear. A cast is made of the patient’s foot, ankle and lower leg while in a corrected position. The cast is then sent to a lab with the doctor’s specifications. The lab fabricates the braces and returns them to the doctor. The last resort to treating this condition is surgical management. The most common approach involves surgically lengthening the Achilles tendon to allow the heel to contact the floor. This procedure should be reserved for the most severe cases that have not significantly improved with non surgical modalities. Article written by Dr. Corinne Gehegan To schedule an appointment call (201) 840-7373.
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Toe
walking is a condition whereby an individual walks on the toes and ball
of the foot with little to no ground contact involving the heel or the
rest of the foot. Typically toddlers outgrow this pattern of gait by the
age of three. Toe walking may be hereditary in nature. If toe walking
persists beyond age three, an underlying neuromuscular disorder or
developmental delay may be considered. It may also be the result of a
congenitally short Achilles tendon.
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