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Reference: http://www.foothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/Equinus.htm Accessed October 2014.

Equinus

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The content provided is not meant to be a substitute for professional advice and is not to be used for

medical diagnosis and / or medical treatment. I will not be held liable for misuse of this PDF for this

purpose.

Every effort has been made to make the content of this PDF accurate and error free. I will not be held

liable for any inaccuracies that may arise or develop as new treatments/guidelines become available.

What is Equinus? Equinus is the inability to dorsiflex the ankle. This is due to tightening of the Achilles tendon or

soleus/gastrocnemius muscle.

Impact on patients Patients can compensate for this deficiency by lifting their heel up early. They may walk on their

toes. They may even bend their knees or hips to compensate.

Aetiology Equinus can be caused by

Diabetes.

Wearing a cast

Using crutches

Wearing high heels.

When a patient has a shorter limb

If the patient has spasms in their muscles due to a neurological disorder.

A bone is blocking the movement.

May also be congenital/inherited.

Secondary problems Equinus can cause secondary foot problems which is usually the reason why the patient presents to

the doctor often unaware of their Equinus problem.

Diagnosis Clinical diagnosis can be achieved by flexing and extending the knee whilst checking range of

movement in the ankle at each position of the knee. X rays can be order to rule out a bony cause.

Also suspicion of spasms can be referred to neurologist.

@KhaledurSchool (Twitter)

Reference: http://www.foothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/Equinus.htm Accessed October 2014.

Non-surgical treatment Non-surgical treatment involves physiotherapy, wearing a night splint (in the night – obviously!),

wearing a heel lift or wearing an orthotic device.

Surgery The doctor may decide to operate to correct the problem.

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