When I was 9 I had a stroke and now have very few residual problems. One of those problems is walking, I can walk but with a odd limp, I walk on my toes I dont walk heel toe. It is causing extreme pain in my foot and need this fixed. Ive tried physical therapy, and a physiatrist and also orthodics hasnt worked, does anyone have any other suggestions. Ive heard tearing the achiellis tendon and streching it out? is that an idea also? Please help with other ideas.
#1 by mistify on February 5, 2010 - 8:39 pm
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Achilles tendon lengthening is a procedure where they make a small incision on the back of your ankle and perform a few longitudinal incisions and then attempt to flex the foot to lengthen the tendon. However, if the primary reason causing the toe walking is not taken care of it will return. For instance, if you have a lot of spasticity, that neurological input is still there and your problem will return. Therefore, it usually still requires some medical management…possibly by baclofen or other tone reducing medication.
Another consideration as opposed to surgery is use of serial casting, splinting, or dynamic splinting…but again, in conjunction with medical managment.
If you can attain normal range of motion, it will probably require a hinged AFO to prevent it from returning.