Foot Drop

What is Foot Drop?

→ Foot drop is a condition in which a person is unable to lift the front part of the foot due to weakness or paralysis of the muscles responsible for dorsiflexion. This results in dragging of the foot while walking and a characteristic high-stepping gait. It is not a disease itself but a sign of an underlying neurological, muscular, or anatomical problem.

Causes

→ Peroneal nerve injury

→ Stroke (CVA)

→ Spinal cord injury

→ Multiple sclerosis

→ Muscular disorders

→ Diabetes (neuropathy)

→ Herniated disc (lumbar spine)

Symptoms

→ Difficulty in lifting the front of the foot

→ Dragging of foot while walking

→ High-stepping gait

→ Weakness in foot and ankle

→ Numbness or tingling (in some cases)

→ Frequent tripping or falls

Diagnosis

→ Clinical examination by doctor

→ Neurological assessment

→ Nerve conduction studies (NCS)

→ Electromyography (EMG)

→ MRI / CT scan (to identify cause)

Treatment Management

→ Treatment of underlying cause

→ Physiotherapy (strengthening and gait training)

→ Use of ankle-foot orthosis (AFO)

→ Electrical stimulation therapy

→ Medications (if required)

→ Surgery (in severe cases)