Problemas de Pie en Español

• Artritis Reumatoide en el Pie y Tobillo
• Biopsia de Tejida Blando
• Buniones (Juanete)
• Coalición Tarsal
• Complicaciones Diabéticas y Prevención de Amputaciones
• Curación de Los Huesos
• Dedo Cruzado
• Dedo en Martillo
• Deformidad de Haglund
• Diabeticas: Estatisticas Alarmantes
• Disfunción de Tendón Tibial Posterior
• Dolor de Talón
• Dolor de Talón Infantil
• Ejercicios de Elongación
• El Dolor Crónico de Tobillo Lateral
• Enfermedad Vascular Periferica (PAD)
• Equinismo
• Esguince de Tobillo
• Fibroma Plantar
• Fractura de Estrés
• Fracturas de Los Dedos Del Pie
• Fracturas de Tobillo
• Fracturas del Calcáneo (Fracturas del Hueso del Talón)
• Fracturas del Quinto Metatarsiano
• Gota
• Hallux Rigidus
• Heridas Por Punción
• Inestabilidad Crónica de Tobillo
• Inicio de Drenaje Siguiendo Los Pasos de Absceso Infectado
• Inflamación Aguda
• Instrucciones par el Cuidado de Heridas
• Instrucciones Para Muletas
• Juanetes de Sastre
• Lesión del Domo Talar
• Lesiones de Lisfranc
• Lesiones del Tendón Peroneo
• Lesiones en un Hueso Sesamoideo del Pie
• Melanoma Maligno del Pie
• Necesito un Examen Para PAD?
• Neuroma de Morton
• Neuropatía Diabética Periférica
• Osteoartritis del Pie y el Tobillo
• Pie Cavo (Pie de Arco Alto)
• Pie de Atleta
• Pie de Charcot
• Pie Diabético
• Pie Plano Flexible
• Pie Plano Pediátrico
• Que Usted Espera con el Tratamiento de Acido par Alas Verrugas
• Que Usted Espera Por Las Inyecciones de Esteriodes
• Quiste de Ganglio
• Ruptura del Tendón de Aquiles
• Síndrome del Hueso Trigono
• Síndrome del Navicular Accesorio
• Síndrome del Túnel Tarsiano
• Tendinitis de Aquiles
• Terapia con Onda de Choque Extracorporea (ESWT)
• Trastornos Comunes del Tendón de Aquiles
• Trombosis Venosa Profunda
• Uña Encarnada del Dedo del Pie
• Uña Infectada Por Hongos
• Verruga Plantar (Verruca Plantaris)

Equinus

What is Equinus?

Equinus is a condition in which the upward bending motion of the ankle is limited. Someone with equinus lacks the flexibility to bring the top of the foot toward the front of the leg. Equinus can occur in one or both feet. When it involves both feet, the limitation of motion is sometimes worse in one foot than in the other.

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. Other patients compensate by "toe walking," while a smaller number take steps by bending abnormally at the hip or knee.

What are the Causes of Equinus?

There are several possible causes for the limited range of ankle motion. Often it is due to tightness in the Achilles tendon or calf muscles (the soleus muscle and/or gastrocnemius muscle). In some patients, this tightness is congenital (present at birth) and is sometimes an inherited trait. Other patients acquire the tightness through situations that keep the foot pointing downward for extended periods -- such as being in a cast, being on crutches, or frequently wearing high-heeled shoes. In addition, diabetes can affect the fibers of the Achilles tendon and cause tightness.

Sometimes equinus is related to a bone blocking the ankle motion. For example, a fragment of a broken bone following an ankle injury, or bone block, can get in the way and restrict motion. Less often, equinus is caused by spasms in the calf muscle. These spasms may be signs of an underlying neurological disorder, such as cerebral palsy.

What are Foot Problems Related to Equinus?

Depending on how a patient compensates for the inability to bend properly at the ankle, a variety of foot conditions can develop, including:
 

• Plantar fasciitis (arch/heel pain)
• Calf cramping
• Tendonitis -- inflammation in the Achilles tendon
• Metatarsalgia -- pain and/or callusing on the ball of the foot
• Flatfoot
• Arthritis of the midfoot (middle area of the foot)
• Pressure sores on the ball of the foot or the arch
• Bunions and hammertoes
• Ankle pain
• Shin splints
   

How is Equinus Diagnosed?

Most patients with equinus are unaware they have this condition when they first visit the doctor. Instead, they come to the doctor seeking relief for foot problems associated with equinus. To diagnose equinus, Dr. Neuhaus will evaluate the ankle's range of motion when the knee is flexed (bent) as well as extended (straightened). This enables Dr. Neuhaus to identify whether the tendon or muscle is tight and to assess whether bone is interfering with ankle motion. X-rays may also be ordered. In some cases, Dr. Neuhaus may refer the patient for neurological evaluation.

What is the Recommended Treatment?

Treatment includes strategies aimed at relieving the symptoms and conditions associated with equinus. In addition, the patient is treated for the equinus itself through one or more of the following options:

• Calf-stretching exercises. To help remedy muscle tightness, exercises that stretch the calf muscle(s) are recommended. You can view some these exercises on our basic exercises video.
• Night splint. The foot may be placed in a splint at night to keep it in a position that helps reduce tightness of the calf muscle.
• Heel lifts. Placing heel lifts inside the shoes or wearing shoes with a moderate heel takes stress off the Achilles tendon when walking and may reduce symptoms.
• Arch supports or orthotic devices. Custom orthotic devices that fit into the shoe are often prescribed to keep weight distributed properly and to help control muscle/tendon imbalance.
   

When is Surgery Needed?

In some cases, surgery may be needed to correct the cause of equinus if it is related to a tight tendon or a bone blocking the ankle motion. Dr. Neuhaus will determine the type of procedure that is best suited to the individual patient.