Literature Review of Idiopathic Toe Walking: Etiology, Prevalence, Classification, and Treatment.

PURPOSE: The main objective of this review is to gather the information available about idiopathic toe walking (ITW), its prevalence and classification, and possible therapeutic approaches. In addition, this review aims to clarify the differences between idiopathic toe walkers and tiptoe walkers with underlying neurological or muscle deficiency as primary conditions. Understanding its causes and learning to make a differential diagnosis will help determine the adequate therapeutic approach. METHODS: This is a review of different articles and case studies from 1967 to 2016. The information was gathered to update and unify all the information about ITW that has been published. CONCLUSION: The literature offers limited research regarding the possible etiology, prevalence, classification, and evaluation of ITW. This review puts together all the information regarding the etiology, prevalence, classifications, evaluation, and treatment of ITW. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Falso diagnóstico de caminador en puntillas de pies; sospecha de enfermedad de McArdle / False diagnosis of idiopathic toe walker (ITW); suspicion of McArdle disease

El caminar en puntillas de los pies es una condición patológica en la cual las personas caminan en las puntas de los pies sin presentar ninguna condición ortopédica o neurológica. Se ha encontrado que los caminadores en puntillas de pies presentan diferentes características en los músculos gastrocnemios, el tendón de Aquiles y en el pie. La enfermedad de McArdle es una condición médica autosómica recesiva caracterizada por la baja tolerancia a la actividad física, la atrofia de los músculos de la cintura escapular y, en algunos casos, con episodios de mioglobinuria después de realizar ejercicio vigoroso. Este reporte explica el caso de una paciente diagnosticada como caminadora idiopática en puntillas de pies, pero con los signos clínicos de la enfermedad de McArdle. Este reporte busca comentar las características clínicas que diferencian a los caminadores idiopáticos en puntillas de pies y a los pacientes con la enfermedad de McArdle.

Idiopathic Toe Walking is a pathological condition in which the gait takes place on the tip toes. ITW is diagnosed on the absent of any orthopedic or neurological condition. The physiological characteristics of the gastrocnemios muscles, the Achilles tendon, and the foot of Idiopathic toe walkers are different to individuals that are not affected by toe walking. McArdle disease is a medical autosomal-recessive condition, characterised by low exercise tolerance, muscular atrophy at the shoulder girdle, and in some cases myoglobinuria episodes have been reported after vigorous physical activities. In this case study we present a patient diagnosed as Idiopathic toe walker, but with the clinical characteristics of McArdle diseases. The aim of this case study is to present the clinical characteristics that differentiate these two pathological conditions.

Analysis of Physiological Gait Pattern in Children Without the Influence of Footwear.

In the literature, there have been several studies that have analyzed and explained the characteristics of physiological gait in association with pathologies; however, finding information about normal gait pattern while barefoot is difficult. This study focuses on the differences in the barefoot gait between children and adolescents. A total of 320 healthy children and adolescent were recruited and divided into groups according to age: G1 (1-6 years), G2 (7-10 years), G3 (>11 years). Data were collected using a dynamometric platform and analyzed using SPSS software. This study's findings indicate that there are differences in the swing, stance, load, and single support phases of gait. To our knowledge, this is the first study to present the values of standardized data on barefoot gait pattern in children aged from 2 to 10 years. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic, Level IV: Case series.

The 3-Step Pyramid Insole Treatment Concept for Idiopathic Toe Walking.

The idiopathic toe walking (ITW) gait pattern is characterized in children for walking since the beginning on their first steps on the forefoot; however, these children are able to support their whole foot on the ground. ITW can only be diagnosed in the absence of any orthopaedic or neurological condition known to cause tiptoe walking. The aim of this article is to review other references and provide an outline of the different treatment options, including the 3-step-pyramid insole treatment concept for children with ITW. METHODS: Fifty-four articles in English, German, and Spanish were reviewed. There were comparative, retrospective or case studies, classifications or literature reviews and they were divided according with these categories. All the literature reviewed was published between 2000 and 2015. RESULTS: There are some studies that proved the 3-step pyramid insole treatment concept as an effective option compared with other therapeutic modalities such as physical therapy, casting, botolinum toxin type A (BTX), and surgery. CONCLUSION: There is a wide spectrum regarding the therapeutic options for children with ITW, from physical therapy to surgery options. However, any of these treatment modalities have been reported to be fully successful for the whole toe walking population. Some procedures seem to have achieved faster results or seem to have longer lasting effects. Therefore, further research on the causes of ITW is recommended. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, Level II: Systematic review, prospective, comparative.

Idiopathic Toe Walking: Family Predisposition and Gender Distribution.

UNLABELLED: Current literature is inconsistent concerning the causes and the frequency of idiopathic toe walking (ITW). Available studies vary widely in their results. The aim of this study is to supply gender-related data particularly regarding the genetic influence on toe walking. Methods The ITW patterns of 836 children were recorded and analyzed during a period of 4 years. Questionnaires and clinical measurements were evaluated along with clinical tests, assessing the occurrence and severity of toe walking. Information about the incidence of toe-walkers in the family was recorded. Results Of the 836 toe-walkers, 64% were boys and 42% had a positive family history (PF-TW). About 60% of the PF-TW children had fathers with a positive toe-walking pattern. PF-TW children were on average half a year younger than children with a negative family predisposition (NF-TW). Conclusions This study shows that a genetic component might be factor in toe walking. PF-TW children were more severely affected in all performed clinical tests than NF-TW children. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic, Level IV.

Idiopathic Toe Walking: Tests and Family Predisposition.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study is to provide clinical examination methods that were designed specifically to assess the level of severity among children with idiopathic toe walking (ITW). The idiopathic toe-walking pattern of 836 children was recorded and analyzed during 4 years. Questionnaires and clinical measurements were evaluated, along with differential tests, assessing the occurrence and severity of toe walking. Questions about family history and onset of toe walking were evaluated along with special tests and measurements assessing the occurrence and severity of toe walking. The different measurements apply during this study, ankle dorsiflexion, lumbar lordosis angle, as well as the clinical spin test, walking after spin test, and heel walking test revealed in all cases that children with a positive family predisposition were significantly more affected than children with negative family predisposition. It is concluded that children with ITW and a positive family predisposition were more intensively affected during all performed clinical tests than children with no family predisposition. The tests used during this study have not being used by any other researches, even though they showed significant differences between the children with ITW and children with a normal gait pattern. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic, Level II: development of diagnostic test with consecutive patients and control patients.