Drop Foot – Foot Drop
Description
Any age. Either foot. Drop foot can happen to anyone, anytime. Usually caused by an injury or a muscle or neurological disorder, keep reading for more on treatments to improve the condition or lead to a complete recovery.
Causes & Triggers
- Muscle disorders, weakness or paralysis resulting from:
- Lou Gehrig’s disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
- Muscular dystrophy (MD)
- Polio
- Neurological (brain & spinal) disorders:
- Cerebral palsy (CP)
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Stroke
- Peroneal nerve damage or other nerve injury caused by:
- Athletics
- Childbirth
- Diabetes
- Knee or hip replacement
- Massive weight loss
- Squatting or sitting cross-legged for extended periods of time
Signs & Symptoms
- Gait changes:
- Dragging toes while walking
- Inability to lift front of foot
- Intentionally swinging leg or lifting knee to avoid dragging toes
Tips & Treatment
- Early treatment may improve the chances for recovery.
- Walking ability may improve by wearing supportive leg braces.
- Mild cases may benefit from over-the-counter shoe inserts or prescription orthotics.
- Participating in physical therapy and/or electrical nerve stimulation can help strengthen foot and leg muscles.
- Surgery may be required to improve stability or gait.
