Drop Foot

Drop Foot

Drop foot is the difficulty when lifting the front part of the foot. It is identified when someone drags the front of their foot when walking. This is not due to a disease or infection, it has to with an anatomical malady. If drop foot is a permanent condition and not temporary due to recovering from a foot injury, corrective measures can be taken to cure it. Ankle braces are available to support the foot while walking.

Drop Foot usually only occurs in one of the feet and can often only be noticed when the foot is spotted being dragged. It is due to a weakness, or sometimes paralysis of the muscles below the knee which function to lift the front part of the foot during motion. The damage to the muscles may be anatomical, neurological or as a result of injury.

Injuries often cause damage to muscles supporting the toes and the ankles and this can contribute to foot drop. Nerve damage can certainly be a culprit and keep in mind that diabetes can cause nerve damage in the feet. Nerve damage in the lower extremities is also very common after surgical procedures such as knee or hip replacement.

Disorders of the central nervous system can also contribute to drop foot.  These may include ALS, stroke, and multiple sclerosis. Reactions to drugs or therapies for these conditions can also lead to nerve damage resulting in symptoms of Drop Foot.

It is definitely recommended that you seek treatment if you notice any symptoms of drop foot which you cannot connect with a temporary injury. Podiatrists can fit you with ankle braces or shoe splints which hold your foot in its normal position. Certain custom foot orthotics will help keep the foot in proper alignment as well. Depending on the cause of the Drop Foot, nerve stimulation and/or physical therapy can be effective in strengthening muscles and nerves. There also surgical procedures to correct nerve damage that might be contributing to drop foot, so seeing a doctor is recommended as soon as you suspect you might be suffering from a foot drop problem.