Achilles tendon contracture refers to the state that the achilles tendon is shortened due to various reasons. Achilles tendon contracture will limit ankle flexion. The causes of achilles tendon contracture are:

(1) congenital;

(2) sequelae of cerebral palsy caused by neonatal hypoxia;

(3) polio;

(4) Shortening of Achilles tendon caused by ankle joint fixation after fracture;

(5) Contraction after Achilles tendon injury.

The main manifestations of achilles tendon contracture are: limited ankle extension, high achilles tendon tension, inability to squat, difficulty in going up and down stairs, and severe cases where the heel cannot touch the ground when walking. Cerebral palsy and polio often have other clinical manifestations. Congenital patients are light or heavy, and some are accompanied by horseshoe foot deformity, all of which are from childhood. Simple bilateral achilles tendon contracture like Xiao Xiong will become more and more obvious when he grows up, and his heel will feel uncomfortable when he walks, which may also lead to abnormal ankle development.

▲ Achilles tendon contracture and left foot varus

No matter what the reason, if you find that your child is walking abnormally or can't squat, you need to go to the hospital for medical treatment.

For the treatment of achilles tendon contracture, the mild person should exercise the back extension function to make the achilles tendon gradually lengthen and restore its elasticity. Severe cases need surgery and lengthening of achilles tendon, and most children's achilles tendon can return to normal function.