Drop foot
Drop foot, also called foot drop, describes the inability to raise the front of the foot due to weakness or paralysis of the muscles that lift the foot. As a result, individuals with foot drop drag their toes along the ground or raise their thighs higher than usual when walking to make sure that the foot does not drag across the floor (steppage gait). Foot drop typically affects one foot although it is possible for both feet to be affected.
Causes
Foot drop is a symptom of an underlying neurological, muscular, or anatomical condition. It is typically associated with the following disorders:
- Multiple sclerosis
- Stroke
- Cerebral palsy
- Poliomyelitis (polio)
- Some forms of spinal muscular atrophy
- Some forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
- Spinal stenosis
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
- Acquired peripheral neuropathy
- Muscular dystrophy
- Myositis
Foot drop can also be caused by local compression or damage to the peroneal nerve as it passes across the fibular bone below the knee.
Treatment
Treatment for foot drop depends on the specific cause. The most common treatment is to support the foot with a lightweight ankle-foot orthosis (AFO). Exercise therapy to strengthen the muscles and maintain joint motion also helps to improve gait. Devices that electrically stimulate the peroneal nerve while walking are appropriate for a small number of individuals with foot drop.
Orthotic management
The products below are designed to help improve the mobility of individuals with drop foot. Whether a product is suitable for you and whether you are capable of exploiting its full functionality depends on many different factors. Your physical condition, fitness, and a detailed medical examination are all factors. Your doctor or orthotist will decide which product would be the most suitable for your condition. We are happy to support you.
