What is Hindfoot Equinus?
Hindfoot equinus is plantar flexion of the anterior calcaneus (similar to a horse’s hoof) such that the angle between the long axis of the tibia and the long axis of the calcaneus (tibiocalcaneal angle) is greater than 90° (see the image below). In hindfoot varus, the talus is assumed to be fixed relative to the tibia.
How do you fix equinus gait?
People with equinus develop ways to “compensate” for their limited ankle motion, and this often leads to other foot, leg, or back problems. The most common methods of compensation are flattening of the arch or picking up the heel early when walking, placing increased pressure on the ball of the foot.
Can stretching help Equinus?
Stretching is an effective, safe and simple method of treatment for equinus. Equinus is the primary risk factor for the top three running-related injuries for athletes: plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy and medial tibial stress syndrome.
What is Gastroc Equinus?
It is named after horses (equine) who essentially walk “on their toes.” A gastrocnemius equinus contracture (Figure 1) occurs when tightness in the outer calf muscle (gastrocnemius) leads to limited ankle dorsiflexion (motion through the ankle joint itself).
How do I fix my hindfoot valgus?
The medial sliding osteotomy of the calcaneus is a simple and effective treatment for hindfoot valgus in pediatric patients with severe hindfoot valgus. It provides excellent correction of the deformity, allows early weight bearing, and preserves subtalar motion.
What is equinus posturing?
Equinus posturing in gait, or toe walking, can be due to either ‘true equinus’ (i.e. the ankle is in plantarflexion) or ‘apparent equinus’, where the heels are off the ground but the ankle is at neutral position relative to the shank.
What is ankle equinus contracture?
Equinus contracture is a condition in which the upward bending motion of the ankle joint is limited, lacking the flexibility to lift the top of the foot. This happens due to either tightness of the muscles and/or tendons in the calf.
Can you fix Equinus?
People with equinus develop ways to compensate for their limited ankle motion, and this often leads to other foot, leg or back problems. The most common methods of compensation are flattening of the arch or picking up the heel early when walking, placing increased pressure on the ball of the foot.
What is a Gastroc recession?
Background: Gastrocnemius recession is a surgical technique commonly performed on individuals who suffer from symptoms related to the restricted ankle dorsiflexion that results when tight superficial posterior compartment musculature causes an equinus contracture.
What causes Gastroc Equinus?
Equinus is often it is due to tightness in the Achilles tendon or calf muscles. For some, this may be congenital (present at birth) or an inherited trait. For others, this tightness is acquired and the result of being in a cast or on crutches, or frequently wearing high-heeled shoes.