Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026
15:04
An Anatomical Study of Nerves at Risk During Minimally Invasive Hallux Valgus Surgery
Published on: February 17, 2018
12.7K
Idiopathic toe walkers: Do they need surgery?
Alice Bonnefoy-Mazure1,2, Marys Revaz1,2, Camille Leroquais3
1Laboratory of Kinesiology, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
Plos One
|September 30, 2025
Summary
Idiopathic toe walking (ITW) patients show improved gait parameters after surgery or conservative treatment, but do not fully achieve healthy child gait patterns. Both treatments enhance gait quality over time.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Pediatric Gait Analysis
- Biomechanical Engineering
Background:
- Idiopathic toe walking (ITW) is a common pediatric condition with no established treatment consensus.
- Equinus deformity significantly impacts ITW, necessitating consideration of conservative or surgical interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate gait parameter evolution in ITW patients undergoing surgical versus conservative treatment.
- To compare gait parameters between treated ITW patients and a control group of asymptomatic children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective comparative study (Level III) of 16 surgically treated and 13 conservatively treated ITW patients.
- Clinical gait analysis (CGA) before and after treatment assessed ankle rocker, peak ankle power, and passive dorsiflexion.
- Paired and unpaired t-tests analyzed differences between treatments and with controls.
Main Results:
- Both surgical and conservative ITW treatments significantly improved gait parameters.
- The surgical group demonstrated a significant improvement in passive ankle dorsiflexion.
- Post-treatment, the surgical group exhibited greater passive dorsiflexion and ankle power compared to the conservative group, though both remained below asymptomatic levels.
Conclusions:
- Gait quality in ITW patients improves with both surgical and conservative treatments.
- Neither treatment fully restores gait parameters to those of healthy, asymptomatic children.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Muscles of the Leg that Move the Foot and Toes
The human leg comprises an intricate system of muscles that facilitate the movement of feet and toes. Within this system, the muscles are categorized into the anterior, lateral, and posterior compartments, each with a unique set of muscles carrying out specific functions.
Anterior Compartment
The anterior compartment includes muscles that contribute to the dorsiflexion of the foot. This compartment houses the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, and extensor digitorum longus muscles.
Anterior Compartment
The anterior compartment includes muscles that contribute to the dorsiflexion of the foot. This compartment houses the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, and extensor digitorum longus muscles.
01:27Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is characterized by narrowed arteries that diminish blood flow to the extremities. Effective management of PAD requires an interprofessional approach involving various healthcare professionals. The critical aspects of interprofessional care for PAD patients focus on risk factor modification, drug therapy, exercise therapy, nutrition therapy, critical limb ischemia care, and interventional radiology and surgical procedures.The primary treatment goal for PAD...
01:23Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
During the postoperative period, it is crucial to focus on maintaining circulation, identifying and managing potential complications, and planning for discharge.Nursing AssessmentVital signs monitoring: Regularly monitor vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, to detect early signs of complications such as bleeding and infection.Circulation assessment: Monitor pulses, perform Doppler assessments, and check capillary refill, color, temperature, and...
01:31Diabetic Foot Ulcer
Definition A diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a chronic, non-healing wound that develops in individuals with diabetes. It typically occurs on pressure-bearing areas such as the heel, metatarsal heads, or hallux, and carries a high risk of infection and amputation.Pathophysiology • The development of DFUs can be explained by four interconnected mechanisms: neuropathy, ischemia, infection, and impaired wound healing. • Neuropathy is the most common factor. Sensory neuropathy reduces pain perception,...