Toe Walking ..................Toe walking is defined as the inability to make heel contact with the floor (heel strike) during the initial stance phase of the gait cycle and the absence of full foot contact with the ground during the remainder of the gait cycle. Although toe walking is commonly seen during development in children who are first learning to walk, a consistent heel-toe pattern of gait usually develops by approximately age 22 months. Persistent toe walking beyond age 2 years merits further evaluation......................................................................Toe walking can be caused by different factors. One type of toe walking is also called habitual or idiopathic toe walking, where the cause is unknown. Other causes include a congenital short Achilles tendon, muscle spasticity (especially as associated with cerebral palsy) and paralytic muscle disease such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy. A congenital shortening of the Achilles tendon can be hereditary, can take place over time as the result of abnormal foot structure which shortens the tendon, or can shorten over time if its full length is not being used. Toe walking is sometimes caused by a bone block located at the ankle which prevents the antagonist movement, dorsiflexion. This cause is often associated with trauma or arthritis. It may also be one way of accommodating a separate condition, foot drop. Persistent toe walking in children has been identified as a potential early sign of autism.
Posted on: Sun, 09 Nov 2014 10:12:37 +0000
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