Foot drop (or drop foot) describes a condition in which you are unable to lift the front part of your foot, which causes the toes to drag on the ground.
Symptoms of Foot Drop
- Change in gait--to avoid dragging your toes on the ground, you may find yourself lifting your legs higher or extending them in a wide arc
- Inability to lift the front part of your foot
- Numbness in the affected foot or in its ankle
- To test yourself, if you are unable to walk only on the heels of your feet, you may have foot drop
Causes of Foot Drop
- Adverse reactions to drugs, including alcohol
- Muscle disorders such as Lou Gehrig's disease or muscular dystrophy
- Neurological disorders such cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, or stroke
- Nerve damage due to childbirth, diabetes , hip or knee replacement surgery, spending lots of time sitting cross-legged or squatting, or sports injuries
Treatments for Foot Drop
- Custom-made orthotics --NOPA offers more than 150 unique possibilities
- Lightweight braces
- Physical therapy
- Surgery
- Using foot lifters, devices that help lift your feet without further damaging muscles or aggravating nerves
- Using foot positioners or foot elevators, which help keep your feet stable
