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Why Equinus Is The Root Of All Foot Evils

Patrick DeHeer DPM FACFAS

Equnius has been associated with 96.5 percent of all biomechanically-related lower extremity pathologies.1 I have compiled a list of lower extremity pathologies (see below) that research has shown to have an equinus component along with the associated references.

Lower extremity orthopedic pathologies related to equinus:

Plantar heel pain/plantar fasciitis1-26

Achilles tendonitis/tendonosis1,27-33

Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction/adult flatfoot deformity2,8,25,26,32,34-42

Muscle strains43

Stress fractures31,44,45

Shin splints/medial tibial stress syndrome31,44,46,47

Iliotibial band syndrome44,46

Patellofemoral syndrome48

Ankle sprains/fractures49

Diabetic foot ulcers25,26,50-56

Charcot deformity55,57-60

Metatarsalgia1,2,4,8,25,36,40,42

Metatarsophalangeal synovitis/pre-dislocation syndrome8

Hallux abducto valgus1,2,25,36,40,61-63

Hammertoes/claw toes25,40,64

Lisfranc/midfoot arthrosis25,41,65

Hallux limitus/hallux rigidus7,40

Forefoot calluses1,40

Morton’s neuroma25,60,67

Chronic ankle instability68

Poor balance/increased fall rate in elderly69

Sever’s disease70,71

Pediatric flatfoot72,73

Lateral foot pain1

Genu recurvatum60

Low back pain60

Arch pain4

Ankle arthrosis25,26

Subtalar arthrosis25

Sesamoiditis25

Disclaimer: I am the inventor of the EQ/IQ equinus brace. To learn more about this device, please visit www.fixequinus.com .

References

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2. DiGiovanni CW, Kuo R, Tejwani N, et al. Isolated gastrocnemius tightness. J Bone Joint Surg. 2002; 84(6):962-970.

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65. Nemec SA, Habbu RA, Anderson JG, Bohay DR. Outcomes following midfoot arthrodesis for primary arthritis. Foot Ankle Int. 2011; 32(4):355-361.

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Additional References

74. Lundgren P, Nester C, Liu A, et al. Invasive in vivo measurement of rear-, mid-and forefoot motion during walking. Gait Posture. 2008; 28(1):93-100.

75. Evans AM, Scutter SD. Sagittal plane range of motion of the pediatric ankle joint: a reliability study. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 2006; 96(5):418-422.

76. Gourdine-Shaw MC, Lamm BM, Herzenberg JE, Bhave A. Equinus deformity in the pediatric patient: Causes, evaluation, and management. Clin Podiatr Med Surg. 2010; 27(1):25-42.

 

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