Efficacy of Surgery for Idiopathic Toe Walking
Evaluating the Efficacy of Surgical Intervention for Idiopathic Toe Walking: A Prospective Cohort Pilot Study
University of Oxford
20 participants
Sep 9, 2024
OBSERVATIONAL
Conditions
Summary
BACKGROUND: For children who walk on their tip toes, surgery is often done to lengthen their Achilles Tendon. However, there is little research to help children's surgeons choose which children with idiopathic toe walking should have surgery. METHODS: This research study will investigate how effective surgery to lengthen the Achilles Tendon is for children with idiopathic toe walking. It will explore if the children\'s quality of life, endurance, strength, range of movement or walking pattern improves after they have had surgery. This study is a pilot study with 20 participants. This means the results will be used to decide if a larger trial is needed.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria4
- Children aged 8-16 at recruitment.
- Idiopathic toe walkers based on clinicians' assessment.
- Plantarflexion contracture with knee extended of 0 degrees or less of dorsiflexion.
- Listed for surgical lengthening of the plantarflexors.
Exclusion Criteria5
- Unable to give informed assent or consent. Previous surgery to the lower limb.
- Unable to effectively participate in gait analysis (e.g. unable to walk 10-metres unaided, unable to walk independently, allergy to adhesive for skin markers, hyperhidrosis).
- Underlying diagnoses which may cause toe walking (e.g. muscular dystrophy, split cord malformation, cerebral palsy).
- Listed for additional procedures in the surgery for the lengthening of the plantarflexors.
- Awaiting further investigations or neurology assessment for toe walking pattern.
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Interventions
The procedure is undertaken under general anaesthetic and involves horizontal hemi-section of the Achilles tendon via small 'stab' incisions at three levels to effect a lengthening of the tendon. The patient is then placed in a walking cast for four weeks thereafter. This surgery is usual care for most children with symptomatic ITW with plantarflexion contractures who have failed non-operative management.
Locations(2)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
For the most up-to-date information, visit the official listing.
NCT06610591