What is Foot Drop?
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The term foot drop describes a condition that presents a limp-like, weak foot that causes difficulty when walking. With foot drop, also interchangeably called drop foot, a person loses the ability to raise the foot at the ankle. The condition causes the person to lift the afflicted foot high to allow the toes to clear the ground; this is known as steppage gait.
Some cases of foot drop are temporary and others are permanent. Causes of foot drop are numerous, but the most common cause is an injury to the peroneal nerve at the top of the calf behind the knee. Other causes of foot drop include multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Lou Gehrig’s disease, and muscular dystrophy. Additional causes include stroke, drug toxicity, diabetes, low back pain, and cauda equine, a compression of the lower bundle of nerves in the spinal cord.
Peroneal nerve palsy is the term used when the nerve at the top of the calf behind the knee is compressed. If the peroneal nerve is injured, it cannot support the tibialis anterior, the muscle which lifts the foot. To diagnose foot drop, a physician will take a complete medical history and may order tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or an electromyogram (EMG).
There are shoes and straps that can mimic the natural ankle motion and help patients with foot drop. An ankle-foot orthosis is a brace, generally made of plastic, which supports the ankle and holds the foot and ankle in the correct position. Surgical treatment is also an option and can involve decompression, nerve transfer, or nerve grafting.
A treatment that involves nerve transfer has had promising results if performed within one year of the development of foot drop. The type of surgery that is most effective might be dependent on the location of the injury causing foot drop. When the condition is caused by a knee injury, decompression surgery is also an option.
Damage to a single peripheral nerve is known as mononeuropathy. This damage can be caused by an accident, injury, or physical trauma. Another cause of mononeuropathy is prolonged pressure on a nerve, which happens to some patients confined to a wheelchair or bed. Repetitive motions or cases in which the shock-absorbing discs that lie between the bones in the back are damaged can also cause mononeuropathy.
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New: Discuss this ArticlePosted by: byeager
I had spinal fusion surgery in November of 2006 and when I came out of the surgery my right foot and leg was numb and now I have foot drop.
The surgeon did MRI and EMG and they said they could not find anything wrong so why do I have foot drop. It is very frustrating, any suggestions. Posted by: judy1117
what type of dr. would a person see if they are suspicious of "drop foot". Would this be a neurologist?
Posted by: anon1869
Having had a bad injury as a child which resulted in a compond fracture and torn tendons just above the knee which resulted in a 'toe drop' condition. Years later an operation was done to transfer a tendon (the one that moves the foot inwards, i.e. towards the other foot.) It proved basically unsuccessful although very little upward movement is possible. Presently a home-made brace is used to imitate the lifting of the foot. However a couple of weeks ago, while swinging a golf club a 'breaking' sensation or 'snapping' sensation was felt in the front of the hip. Followed by pain. Now there are slight feelings of pain in an area along the inside of the calf, in an area along the inside of the thigh and sometimes in the area where the 'breakin' sensation occured. Also in the moring unpleasant feelings in those areas are felt after resting all night! The original injury was about 50 years ago. Are there going to be problems due to aging and use of a handicapped leg? Can you replease reply asap? Thanks for an urgent immediate reply?
Posted by: Jeannette
Hi - I injured myself four weeks ago doing some gardening (54yo woman who thinks she's 25). Resulted in herniated disc in my spine, acute sciatica down my left leg and paralyzed (tingly and numb) left foot. Pain has now resolved after 4 weeks off work, very strong meds and bed rest. Diagnosed with drop foot. The neurosurgeon feels my body is healing itself but can't guarantee the foot will ever recover. I now have a foot brace which makes a huge difference. I can walk almost normally (but still use a stick for safety). I can even drive my manual car. Big worry for a while but now big relief. Even if I have to live with a foot brace at least I now appreciate what mobility I have.
Posted by: anon3527
to all above posters... yes you need to see a neurologist. If you don't know one or have to get a referral for your insurance, see your primary care provider as they may be able to help in the diagnosis or to refer you to a neurologist.
Posted by: anon6255
Hi I had a knee operation and when i came round i had foot drop. The next day i had compartment syndrome. Is this connected? or was i just unlucky? I was in hospital for a month and i have been in plaster now for 7 weeks and when they take it off my foot still drops! so they put the plaster on for another 4 weeks. Will this work and will i ever be able to use my foot again? At the moment i am in a wheelchair.
Posted by: anon7509
I have foot drop due to knee surgery 3 months ago. I am doing home stretching exercises in an attempt to reduce or bring back to normal prior to the foot drop condition. There was initial improvement but progress seems to have stopped.
I also have nerve pain as a result of the surgery. The surgeon assured me that the peroneal nerve was not severed and the muscles on top of the lower extremity of the leg are working.
I have a leg brace which I wear occasionally but would like to dispense with that need.
What is the prognosis for my foot to come back to normal and not have foot drop? Progress is slow and discouraging! Posted by: walker43302
About a month ago I had tingling in the back of my left thigh, now four weeks later I have drop foot. I do not recall any accidents or anything and I just learned I am five weeks pregnant so MRI is out of the question... I am really scared. any suggestions? Please help.
Posted by: chotikamas
I have felt of numbness at my rt.5th toe for 6 months. A few weeks it was more anesthesia and little pain at lateral site of rt. knee. What is going on?
Posted by: willow123
Hello,
I am a 44 year old female who was in a relatively minor car accident 2 years ago. I had back pain for a very long time afterwards but was to hear "its deep muscle trauma". Some problem such as tingles and pain in right foot when walking any length continue. In Feb. I woke one morning to find I had drop foot. I could not control it standing and had very little movement while lying down. Trying to cross my toes was very painful. After about two weeks of it not getting better or going away, I went to my chiropractor. What I wanted to pass along was that after going twice a week for a few weeks and then once a week for a few more weeks and doing daily foot lifting, I am now able to walk with very little tripping and I don't think I am doing the one legged march unless I over do it. That's the good news. Some of you may want to give it a try. I did have a lower back MMR. It seems I have some disc, vertebra, and nerve problems. They also found renal cysts. I now have pins and needles every where all of the time and something like muscle cramps in my back, legs and feet. My family doctor is not good about saying much or quick to see me. I think I need to see a neurologist. But hey, the drop foots "hanging in there" and staying better. Best of luck to all of you.
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