Joe A Shaw PA-C - 9/3/2008

Question
My granddaughter and I feel down some steps 4 weeks ago.  She had a mild buckle fracture of the left foot and I had a fracture of the left 5th metatarsal head.  My question pertains to her.....the ortho put her in a full cast all the way up above the knee for 3 weeks.   She has had the cast off for one week now with a well healed buckle fracture.   She had learned to walk with the cast on....now since the cast is off (7 days) she is still walking the same as if the cast is still on....she walks on her toes of the left foot and with the foot slightly turned out, and the knee slightly bent, exactly as it was when she was in the cast.  Our otho says this is not unusual and it will just take her a few days to relax that foot and realize she can walk normal again without holding the heel up.  Her parents and I are concerned and would like your opinion and suggestions as to what we might can do to encourage her to walk normally again.

Thanks !

Answer
Brenda,
It will take some time, there's not much you will be able to explain to a 16 month old. While watching TV or something you may want to stretch leg and foot ie straight leg and gently move foot up and hold for 5 sec then down for 5 sec etc..bend leg, extend leg..do this 3-4 x day for a couple of wks