Foot drop refers to the difficulty in lifting the front part of the foot, sometimes causing it to drag on the ground as you walk. Foot drop is not a condition in and of itself, it can be caused by a problem with your muscles or nerves, or your foot or leg anatomy. It can also be caused due to an underlying health condition, such as a peroneal nerve injury, peripheral neuropathy, muscular dystrophy, polio, stroke, multiple sclerosis, or ALS. People with foot drop may overcompensate for their inability to raise the front part of the foot by lifting the entire leg higher than normal to take a step, which is known as “steppage gait.” The foot may also audibly slap as it hits the ground when walking. If you have difficulty lifting the front of your foot, it is suggested that you seek the care of a podiatrist.
Foot drop is a condition in which a person has difficulty lifting the front part of their foot. Rather than being a diagnosis in and of itself, foot drop is a symptom of other underlying issues with the muscles, nerves, or anatomy of your foot or leg. If you have symptoms of foot drop, please consult with Kevin Powers, DPM of The Center for Lower Extremity Nerve Surgery. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Symptoms
- Inability to raise front part of the foot
- Foot dragging on the floor
- Difficulty walking
- Altered (steppage) gait
- Numbness in foot
- Tingling in foot
- Muscle weakness
Causes
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
- Muscular dystrophy
- Polio
- Peroneal nerve damage
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Stroke
- ALS
Diagnosis
Your podiatrist may conduct various diagnostic tests, including
- Nerve conduction tests
- Electromyography
- MRI, X-ray, or CT scans
- Nerve ultrasounds
- Blood tests
Treatment
Your treatment will depend on the underlying cause of the foot drop. Treatment options may include:
- Wearing braces, splints, shoe inserts, or other orthotics
- Physical therapy
- Nerve stimulation
- Surgery
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Indianapolis and Bloomington, IN. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
