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Foot Drop

Foot Drop Symptoms & Causes

Foot drop is a condition that makes it difficult to point your foot and toes up towards the sky. This is because the muscles responsible for lifting the foot up aren’t working so well or have lost their strength. This can make walking difficult, and put you at risk of falls and other problems.

There may be a number of causes of foot drop and they’re often related to underlying neurological conditions, meaning they affect the nerves in the feet and legs that help the muscles function. Examples of nerve-related causes of foot drop include:

  • Stroke
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Peripheral neuropathy, which may occur secondary to diabetes
  • Nerve compression or damage, which may occur following an accident, surgery, or even from just sitting for too long in one place

 

Foot drop may also be caused by muscle weakness, such as from: 

  • Muscular dystrophy
  • General muscle weakness after periods of immobilisation like after a lengthy recovery from surgery
  • Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
  • Polio

 

Foot Drop: The Risks

We’ve already mentioned that when you have foot drop, you’re at risk of tripping and falling – but there are many more problems that you become vulnerable to. As you can’t naturally clear the ground, many people change the way they walk greatly to compensate and try to create a smoother and more comfortable gait. Often, this involves excessive flexion (bending) at the knees or hips, swinging the leg forwards or out around the body, and slapping the foot down onto the ground when it comes to putting the foot back down on the ground.

As your body isn’t used to your new movement patterns – nor are the muscles that you’re newly engaging for prolonged periods – you become vulnerable to developing new pains and problems from your new, and often inefficient gait. 

With foot drop, you may also have concurrent problems – such as reduced feeling in the feet. If you can’t feel what’s happening around your feet, it can be difficult to tell when an injury has occurred, or when your body is trying to warn you about a painful movement.

 

Does Foot Drop Get Better On Its Own?

Depending on the underlying cause of your foot drop, the problem may be either temporary or permanent. This must be evaluated entirely on a case-by-case basis, so we can’t tell you more without understanding what has caused your foot drop, its severity, and your symptoms. 

When the underlying condition is something like a stroke, where permanent damage has occurred to the brain, it is likely to be permanent. If the problem has developed following surgery or trauma but the nerves haven’t been permanently damaged – only compressed or weakened, then yes you can completely or partially recover from your foot drop – and your podiatrist can help you get there faster.

 

Podiatrist Management For Foot Drop

Managing foot drop starts by understanding its cause and the impact it is having on your feet and gait. Next, we can use:

 

  • The EXO-L UP brace: this is our #1 solution for foot drop. It is a world-first brace that works brilliantly to keep the foot cleared from the ground while giving back stability and balance. It’s also discreet, streamlined and adjustable, meaning that you can wear it with any shoes. It is entirely custom-made, made from a 3D scan of your foot, ankles and lower leg. Learn more about the EXO-L UP and how it can help with foot drop here.
  • Custom foot orthotics – alongside your EXO-L UP brace, orthotics may be prescribed for your feet to alter the way your feet and legs function to improve your mobility. These are often used if you have concurrent problems alongside foot drop. Read more about our custom foot orthotics here.
  • Physical therapy – this is designed to help strengthen the musculature associated with foot drop while improving the range of motion at the ankle joint while reducing stiffness.
  • Footwear – when it comes to foot drop, your shoes can hold you back if they’re too heavy, not the right fit, or don’t give you the stability and support you need. We help you select the best shoes for your feet that work symbiotically with any braces or orthotics you may be wearing.

 

We understand that losing the ability to fully control your foot function can be difficult – and challenging when it comes to performing everyday tasks and maintaining independence. We always put you first and go above and beyond to help you get the best results both now and in the long term.

 

FAQs

Is foot drop permanent?

Whether foot drop is permanent or not depends on the underlying cause of the condition. In some cases, foot drop may be temporary and may resolve with treatment of the underlying condition. In other cases, foot drop may be a permanent condition. Some causes of foot drop that may be temporary include:

  • Nerve compression or injury: if the nerve that controls the muscles of the foot and ankle is compressed or injured, it may cause foot drop. Nerve compression or injury may be caused by a herniated disc, a tumour, or trauma to the leg or foot. If the compression or injury is relieved, the nerve may be able to recover, and the foot drop may resolve.
  • Muscle or nerve inflammation: certain medical conditions, such as Guillain-Barre syndrome or peripheral neuropathy, can cause inflammation of the nerves or muscles. In these cases, foot drop may be temporary and may resolve with treatment of the underlying condition.
  • Certain medications: some medications can cause temporary foot drop as a side effect. If the medication is discontinued or the dosage is adjusted, the foot drop may resolve.

 

However, in other cases, foot drop may be a permanent condition. For example, foot drop may be caused by nerve damage that cannot be repaired, such as cases of spinal cord injury or a stroke. In these cases, treatment may focus on managing the symptoms of foot drop, through the use of braces or orthotics, rather than attempting to cure the condition.

 

Are there any exercises or physical therapy that can help with foot drop?

In some cases, there are exercises and therapies that may be beneficial for foot drop, these include:

  • Ankle pumps: this exercise involves moving the ankle up and down while seated or lying down. Ankle pumps can help improve range of motion in the ankle and foot.
  • Toe curls: this involves curling the toes toward the sole of the foot and then straightening them out. Toe curls can help strengthen the muscles in the foot and improve grip strength.
  • Ankle dorsiflexion stretch: this stretch involves pulling the toes toward the shin to stretch the muscles in the front of the ankle. Ankle dorsiflexion stretches can help improve flexibility and range of motion.
  • Bracing or splinting: wearing a brace or splint on the affected foot can help support the foot and ankle and improve mobility.
  • Gait training: gait training involves learning to walk with a normal gait pattern, which can help improve foot drop and prevent falls.

 

Can foot drop be prevented?

In most cases, foot drop cannot be prevented, however in the case of muscle weakness after surgery, you can undertake a pre-surgery prehab programme to help support your muscle strength and reduce your chance of muscle weakness (and hence foot drop) after surgery.

 

FAQs

How is Foot Drop diagnosed?

Foot Drop is typically diagnosed through a combination of medical history evaluation, physical examination, and diagnostic tests. Our podiatrists will assess your symptoms, muscle strength, reflexes, and sensation in the affected foot and leg. Diagnostic tests such as electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction studies, and imaging studies like MRI or CT scans may be ordered with your doctor as part of evaluating the underlying cause, this is all done on a case-by-case basis.

 

Can Foot Drop affect one foot or both feet?

Foot Drop can affect one foot or both feet, depending on the underlying cause. It can occur due to nerve damage or muscle weakness in a specific leg, resulting in unilateral foot drop. In some cases, bilateral foot drop, affecting both feet, may occur due to conditions affecting the nerves or muscles in both legs.

 

Will I need to use assistive devices, such as braces or orthotics?

In many cases, ankle-foot orthotics (AFOs) can provide fantastic support and help prevent your foot from dropping during walking, especially when it comes to clearing the ground during the swing phase of walking, which prevents you catching your foot on the ground, tripping over and potentially hurting yourself in the process.

 

Can Foot Drop be managed or improved without surgery?

Yes, in many cases, Foot Drop can be managed or improved without surgery. 

 

What does the surgical treatment for Foot Drop involve?

Surgical treatment for Foot Drop is typically considered if conservative treatments fail to provide adequate improvement or in cases where nerve compression or structural abnormalities require surgical intervention. The specific surgical procedure will depend on the underlying cause and may involve nerve decompression, tendon transfers, or other corrective procedures to restore foot and ankle function.

 

Are there any complications or long-term effects associated with Foot Drop?

Foot Drop itself is a symptom of an underlying condition rather than a condition on its own. The complications and long-term effects can vary depending on the underlying cause. Without appropriate management, complications may include muscle atrophy, gait abnormalities, increased risk of falls, and functional limitations. Treating the underlying cause and managing Foot Drop can help minimise these potential long-term effects.