Toe walking: causes, epidemiology, assessment, and treatment

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Orthopedics
• Neurology

Background:

• Toe walking, or equinus gait, is common in children.
• It can be idiopathic or associated with underlying neurological or developmental conditions.
• Prevalence is 2% in typically developing children and 41% in those with developmental delays.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the latest literature on the causes, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of toe walking.
• To provide an overview of current therapeutic options and their efficacy.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of recent studies.
• Analysis of epidemiological data.
• Evaluation of treatment outcomes for various interventions.

Main Results:

• Idiopathic toe walking is the most common form.
• Casting and surgery show evidence of efficacy, with surgery providing long-term benefits.
• Botox and orthotics offer temporary or limited improvement.

Conclusions:

• Toe walking can be idiopathic or secondary to other conditions.
• Treatment is individualized based on age, cause, and severity.
• Accurate diagnosis through history, exam, and testing guides appropriate management.