Evaluating surgery for children who walk on their toes
Evaluating the Efficacy of Surgical Intervention for Idiopathic Toe Walking: A Prospective Cohort Pilot Study
This study is testing whether Achilles tendon lengthening surgery can help children who walk on their toes improve their walking and overall quality of life.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Ages | 8 Years to 16 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Oxford Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Tooting, London and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06610591 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational study investigates the effectiveness of Achilles tendon lengthening surgery in children with idiopathic toe walking. It aims to assess improvements in quality of life, endurance, strength, range of movement, and walking patterns post-surgery. The study will involve 20 participants and take place at two hospitals: Oxford University Hospitals and St George's Hospitals. The findings will help determine if a larger trial is warranted and how it should be designed.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are children aged 8-16 who have been assessed by clinicians as idiopathic toe walkers and are listed for surgical lengthening of the plantarflexors.
Not a fit: Patients with underlying conditions causing toe walking, such as muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy, may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could help identify which children would benefit most from surgery, potentially improving their walking ability and overall quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: While there is limited research specifically on this surgical approach for idiopathic toe walking, similar studies on tendon lengthening in other conditions have shown varying degrees of success.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Children aged 8-16 at recruitment. * Idiopathic toe walkers based on clinicians' assessment. * Plantarflexion contracture with knee extended of 0 degrees or less of dorsiflexion. * Listed for surgical lengthening of the plantarflexors. Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to give informed assent or consent. Previous surgery to the lower limb. * Unable to effectively participate in gait analysis (e.g. unable to walk 10-metres unaided, unable to walk independently, allergy to adhesive for skin markers, hyperhidrosis). * Underlying diagnoses which may cause toe walking (e.g. muscular dystrophy, split cord malformation, cerebral palsy). * Listed for additional procedures in the surgery for the lengthening of the plantarflexors. * Awaiting further investigations or neurology assessment for toe walking pattern.
Where this trial is running
Tooting, London and 1 other locations
- St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust — Tooting, London, United Kingdom (Recruiting)
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust — Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Alpesh Kothari, MA, BM, BCh, AFHEA, MSc, DPhil — University of Oxford
- Study coordinator: Eileen M Morrow, BSc. MSc.
- Email: Eileen.Morrow@ouh.nhs.uk
- Phone: +441865 227 607
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.