Idiopathic toe walking (ITW) is a gait pattern characterized by the absence of heel strike during the stance phase and incomplete foot contact with the ground. After excluding neurological, neuromuscular, and orthopedic causes such as cerebral palsy, neuropathies, myopathies, and spinal dysraphism, the diagnosis of ITW can be established. Although alterations in muscle histology and architecture have been reported in children with ITW, radiological evaluation of the musculoskeletal system remains limited. Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) is a non-invasive, objective, and cost-effective imaging technique that quantitatively assesses tissue stiffness by measuring shear wave velocity and elasticity. The present study aims to evaluate gastrocnemius muscle and Achilles tendon elasticity in children with ITW compared with age-matched healthy controls. By combining SWE measurements with clinical assessments-including ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, Toe Walking Severity Scale, Foot Posture Index, and a functionality questionnaire-we aim to better characterize the musculoskeletal alterations associated with ITW.
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Elastography measurements (kPa) of the gastrocnemius muscle and Achilles tendon in children with idiopathic toe walking compared to healthy controls
Timeframe: At study visit (baseline, cross-sectional)