Gait disturbances due to torture

Many of the victims of torture suffer from difficulty in walking ranging from paralysis to tiredness and some pain in the feet. In addition to breaking bones, crushing feet, bruising and tearing muscles and tendons one of the most frequent forms of torture is falanga, beating the soles of the feet. Immediate symptoms after falanga torture is pains and swelling. The feet become reddened and hot. The swelling can be so pronounced that the feet and ankles become pyramid shaped. The swelling lasts about 14 days. There is a temporary loss of sensitivity and a reduction in the ability to function in the ankles, feet and toes. Victims have difficulty in walking for from a few days to several months. Nearly one half of the victims of falanga have difficulty with their feet for years following the torture.