Is Idiopathic Toe Walking Really Idiopathic? The Motor Skills and Sensory Processing Abilities Associated With Idiopathic Toe Walking Gait

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate any differences between the motor skills and sensory processing abilities of children between the ages of 4 and 8, who do and do not have an idiopathic toe walking gait. Children in each cohort were tested with a number of norm referenced assessments. A total of 60 children participated, 30 within each cohort. Those with an idiopathic toe walking gait were found to have different Sensory Profile quadrant scores (P = .002), poorer performance on the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (P ≤ .001), a lower vibration perception threshold (P = .001), and poorer performance on the Standing Walking Balance subtest of the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (P = .047), compared with non-toe walking peers. Although this research does not give a causative factor for toe walking gait, it provides a number of theories as to why this gait may not be idiopathic in nature.

Exploring health professionals' understanding of evidence‐based treatment for idiopathic toe walking

“…Evidence-based management for ITW remains an ongoing challenge for several reasons. First, although some children present with some similar features (Williams et al, 2014), many trials may include heterogeneous populations (Fanchiang et al, 2014;Williams, Tinley, Curtin, & Nielsen, 2012). Second, although observational studies of ITW provide evidence of spontaneous resolution in a proportion of cases (Davies et al, 2018;D.M.…”

“…Factors hypothesized to contribute include orthopaedic issues (D. M. Eastwood, Dennett, Shield, & Dickens, ; D.M. Eastwood et al, ), behavioural challenges (Williams, Tinley, Curtin, Wakefield, & Nielsen, ), or mild motor skill delays (Engstrom, Van't Hooft, & Tedroff, ; Williams et al, ).…”

American and Australian family experiences while receiving a diagnosis or having treatment for idiopathic toe walking: a qualitative study

“…2 Some children have presented with challenges in sensory processing or singular motor development challenges. 3 There is no single intervention used to treat ITW with documented full success in long-term gait normalisation. 4 Treatments commonly aim at reducing associated ankle equinus, such as serial casting of the lower leg 5 or surgical lengthening of the Achilles tendon.…”

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

“…In the study by Bernhard et al, 17 the main objectives of physical therapy for children with ITW, are to obtain stability of the trunk muscles, and to 17 Pomarino et al (2011) 18 Pomarino et al (2011) 19 Pomarino et al (2011) 20 Van Kujik et al (2014) 21 Fox et al (2006) 22 Pomarino et al (2011) 23 Pomarino and Pomarino (2010) 24 Pomarino et al (2010) 15 Gámez-Iruela et al (2015) 25 Hemo et al (2006) 11 Pomarino et al (2011) 26 Pomarino et al (2009) 27 Pomarino et al (2012) 16 Williams et al (2014) 28 Jahn et al (2009) 29 Pomarino et al (2010) 30 Pomarino et al (2009) 31 Babb and Carlson (2008) 32 Williams et al (2014) 33 Pomarino et al (2010) 34 Külh and Pomarino (2008) 35 Brunt et al (2004) 36 Pomarino et al (2010) 15 Pomarino, et al (2007) 37 Zimbler (2007) 38 Pomarino and Bernhard (2006) 39 Pomarino (2004) 40 Engström et al (2010) 10 Bernhard et al (2006) 41 Clark et al (2010) 13 Hirsch and Wagner (2004) 42 Lundequam and Buck Willis (2009) 43 Williams et al (2013) 9 McEwen-Hill and Weber (2009) 44 Stott et al (2004) 14 Stock and Zörnig (2010) 45 Engström et al (2013) 8 elongate the Achilles tendon; the exercises or therapy have to be done regularly. Splints are an alternative treatment option, which aim to reposition the ankle in neutral position for at least 6 weeks.…”