Toe Walker Gait Trial

Dynamic Splinting for Toe Walking: a Randomized, Controlled Study With Gait Analysis

The purpose of this study is to examine the change in ankle plantar flexion while walking, following treatment with the Ankle Dorsiflexion Dynasplint (AFD) for children diagnosed as Toe Walkers.

For twelve weeks, patients will either receive the standard treatment or the same standard treatment and the Dynaslint worn at night.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Toe Walking secondary to CP
• Idiopathic TW
• Inability to ambulate with initial heel-contact
• Inability to bear weight and stand flat-footed for over one minute
• Inability to stand or hop on one foot (symptomatic) for more than one minute

Exclusion Criteria:

• Acid Maltase Deficiency Myopathy
• Acute Paralytic Poliomyelitis
• Spinal Muscular Atrophy-all types
• Stroke, ischemic or hemorrhagic, all types
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Traumatic Brain Injury (including Shaken Baby Syndrome)
• Unilateral ROM deficits in Knee or Hip
• Previous Achilles Tendon lengthening surgery
• Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy
• Muscular Dystrophy-all types