What is Foot Drop? | Fort Worth Podiatrist

“Foot drop” is a condition where a person is unable to lift the front of their foot, sometimes causing the foot to drag along the ground when walking. People of any age are susceptible to developing foot drop, and may modify their walking by lifting the knee higher or swinging the leg in an arc in order to keep the toes from dragging.

What causes foot drop?

It is a symptom of another issue, not a disease in and of itself. Causes may include:

• nerve injury – commonly to the peroneal nerve which sits close to the surface and can be damaged easily
• brain or spinal disorder – stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
• muscle disorder – muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), polio

How is it treated?

Treatment will be determined by your podiatrist and will depend on the cause. Foot drop can be temporary or permanent, and early treatment will improve likelihood of recovery. Common treatments include:

• lightweight braces
• shoe inserts (orthotics)
• physical therapy
• surgery

If you are suffering from foot drop, make an appointment with us today!

Abridged from WebMD – Read More