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WALKING ON TIPTOES THROUGHOUT CHILDHOOD: 9-YEAR-OLD BOY FROM THE HIGHLANDS REGAINS STEADY STEPS AT AIH
Throughout his childhood, 9-year-old Hồ Văn Khải (Trà My, Quảng Nam) was only able to walk on his toes and had never been able to place his entire foot firmly on the ground like other children. After surgery at the American International Hospital (AIH), the moment his heel first touched the ground became a significant milestone in his life.
Living with an “equinus foot” deformity
Since the age of one, Khải had faced considerable difficulties in walking due to a congenital deformity in his right foot. This condition not only affected his gait but also caused obstacles in his learning and daily activities.
“When he started learning to walk, the family noticed that one leg was lower than the other. He always walked on his toes. If he walked long distances or ran and jumped for extended periods, his foot would hurt,” recalled his father, Hồ Văn Lễ.
In the hope that their child could walk normally, the family brought him to multiple medical facilities to seek treatment options. “We took him to several places for examination but had not yet found a suitable treatment plan. Many doctors also declined the case because it was quite complex,” Mr. Lễ shared.
At the American International Hospital (AIH), after examination, Prof. Dr. René D. Esser from the Department of Orthopedics diagnosed Khải’s right foot with an equinus deformity, accompanied by severe Achilles tendon contracture and limb length discrepancy. The right femur and tibia were both underdeveloped compared to the left side, resulting in the right leg being shorter than the left.
Prof. Dr. René D. Esser explained that the clinical presentation showed a severe downward flexion of Khải’s right foot due to prolonged Achilles tendon contracture. The heel was unable to make contact with the ground, meaning the child could only stand and move using the forefoot. Prolonged weight-bearing on the toes over time not only altered his gait pattern but also caused pain, impaired balance, and reduced lower limb motor function.
Achilles tendon lengthening surgery to restore a “flat” foot position
Prof. Dr. René D. Esser promptly performed surgery on Khải, carrying out lengthening of the right Achilles tendon to release the contracture and restore the foot to a functional position.
Following surgery, the right foot was immobilized with a below-knee plaster splint in a functional position to maintain the corrective outcome and support tendon healing.
Following the operation, Khải experienced, for the first time, the sensation of his entire foot making full contact with the ground. For many people, this is such an ordinary feeling that it often goes unnoticed. However, for a child from the mountainous region who had spent nearly his entire childhood walking on tiptoes, it was a completely new and deeply emotional experience.
At the time of treatment, Khải was in third grade. The success of the surgery not only improved his mobility but also gave him greater confidence in his studies.
According to Prof. Dr. René D. Esser, equinus deformity in children may be associated with congenital abnormalities, neuromuscular disorders, or longstanding Achilles tendon contracture. He advises parents not to overlook signs such as persistent toe walking, inability of the heel to touch the ground, or noticeable limb-length discrepancy.
Expertise in Treating Complex Limb Deformities and Congenital Conditions
With nearly 50 years of experience in Orthopedics and Traumatology, Prof. Dr. René D. Esser has successfully performed thousands of surgeries for patients with congenital deformities, limb abnormalities, and complex musculoskeletal disorders, helping restore function, improve mobility, and enhance quality of life.
With an extensive international background, Prof. Dr. René D. Esser has held numerous leadership and academic positions at renowned healthcare institutions and medical training centers worldwide, including Stanford University in the United States, Markgröningen Hospital in Germany, and Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital in Samoa. He has also served as a medical consultant for several hospitals in France.
In addition to his highly regarded clinical expertise, Prof. Dr. René D. Esser specializes in the treatment of rare and complex conditions, including congenital musculoskeletal deformities in children, limb lengthening procedures, bone reconstruction, hip, knee, shoulder, and elbow joint replacement surgeries, foot and ankle surgery, sports medicine, and advanced orthopedic trauma care.
More importantly, Prof. Dr. René D. Esser is often regarded as a “guardian angel” by many underprivileged children living with congenital deformities. Through his partnership with AIH, he has helped provide these children with the opportunity to walk and move normally, offering hope to those who might otherwise face lifelong disabilities.
With a team of highly experienced physicians and a multidisciplinary care model, American International Hospital (AIH) is well equipped to diagnose and treat a wide range of congenital deformities, limb abnormalities, and complex musculoskeletal disorders in both pediatric and adult patients. Each patient undergoes a comprehensive evaluation and receives an individualized treatment plan designed to optimize functional recovery, enhance quality of life, and minimize long-term complications.
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