Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2020 Jan;32(1):2-10.
doi: 10.1097/PEP.0000000000000659.

Differentiating Between Idiopathic Toe Walking and Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review

Kathleen Schlough  1 , Kerryn Andre, Marley Owen, Lindsey Adelstein, Mary Claire Hartford, Bernadette Javier, Rachel Kern
Affiliations

Differentiating Between Idiopathic Toe Walking and Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review

Kathleen Schlough et al. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2020 Jan.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review is to identify evidence-based examination components that enable a clinician to distinguish between participants with idiopathic toe walking (ITW) and cerebral palsy (CP) to accurately categorize them into their respective movement system diagnosis.

Summary of key points: Five articles were used that compared key clinical findings, walking characteristics, and muscle firing patterns of participants with CP and ITW. Differences in these components allow participants with CP and ITW to be classified into different movement system diagnoses to better target plan of care.

Conclusions and recommendations for clinical practice: The authors recommend that clinicians perform specific evidence-based tests and measures in accordance with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health model.

PubMed Disclaimer

Comment in

References

    1. Baber S, Michalitsis J, Fahey M, Rawicki B, Haines T, Williams C. A comparison of the walking characteristics of idiopathic toe walking and toe walking due to medical reasons. J Pediatr. 2016;171:290–293. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2015.12.
    1. Kelly IP, Jenkinson A, Stephens M, O'Brien T. The kinematic patterns of toe-walkers. J Pediatr Orthop. 1997;17:478–480.
    1. Engstrom P, Tedroff K. The prevalence and course of idiopathic toe-walking in 5 year old children. Pediatrics. 2012:130:279–284. doi:10.1542/peds.2012-0225.
    1. Pomarino D, Ramírez J, Pomarino A. Idiopathic toe walking: tests and family predisposition. Foot Ankle Spec. 2016;9:301–306. doi:10.1177/1938640016630056.
    1. Scheets PL, Bloom NJ, Crowner B, et al. Movement System Diagnoses Neuromuscular Conditions. https://download.lww.com/wolterskluwer_vitalstream_com/PermaLink/JNPT/A/.... Updated 2014. Accessed March 18, 2018.

Publication types