What Is Drop Foot?

Key Takeaways:

Drop foot makes it difficult to lift the front of your foot, so it may drag when you walk.
It can happen for different reasons, like nerve damage or muscle weakness.
Depending on the cause, treatment might involve therapy, a brace, or sometimes surgery.

Mobility is something most of us take for granted, until something changes. Drop foot is one of those conditions that can quietly affect the way you move.

Learn more about what foot drop is, what causes it, and the treatment options that can help here.

Drop foot, also known as foot drop, is a condition that affects the ability to lift the front part of the foot; this causes the foot to drag as one walks, making trips and falls more likely. While foot drop itself isn’t a disease, it could be a symptom of an underlying issue that affects the nerves or muscles responsible for foot movement.

The condition can manifest in one foot or both, depending on the cause. It may be temporary in some cases, while in others, it can be a long-lasting issue.

What Causes Drop Foot?

The main cause of drop foot is weakness or paralysis in the muscles that lift the foot. This weakness is often linked to nerve damage, most commonly the peroneal nerve that runs down the leg and controls the muscles responsible for dorsiflexion (lifting the foot). When this nerve is injured or compressed, it can make it difficult or impossible to raise the foot properly while walking.

Nerve Damage

Nerve damage can result from anything from an injury to the knee or lower leg that compresses the peroneal nerve to complications during surgeries like hip or knee replacements, or conditions like diabetes that cause peripheral neuropathy. In each of these cases, the nerve’s ability to send signals to the foot is disrupted.

Muscle Weakness

Sometimes, drop foot is linked to muscle weakness caused by certain disorders. Muscular dystrophy, for example, is a group of inherited disorders that cause muscles to weaken over time, while spinal muscular atrophy is a genetic condition that leads to muscle wasting by affecting motor neurons. Both conditions can make it harder for the muscles that lift the foot to function.

Central Nervous System Disorders

A stroke, which interrupts blood flow to the brain, could impair the brain’s ability to control muscle movement. Multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease, can also disrupt nerve signals between the brain, spinal cord, and muscles.

When the central nervous system is involved, drop foot often occurs alongside other mobility challenges that may require ongoing management.

What Does Drop Foot Look Like?

The most obvious sign of drop foot appears during the swing phase of walking, when the foot moves forward. Because it’s difficult to lift the toes, they may drag along the ground. To avoid tripping, many people develop a distinctive walking pattern where they lift their knee higher than normal or swing the leg outward.

How Is It Diagnosed and Treated?

Diagnosing drop foot usually starts with a detailed medical history and physical examination. A healthcare provider will watch how you walk and check your legs and feet for signs of weakness or changes in sensation.

Diagnostic Procedures

Additional tests may be needed to get to the root of the problem. Electromyography (EMG) can measure the electrical activity in your muscles to see how well the nerves are working, while nerve conduction studies assess how quickly and efficiently nerve signals travel. Imaging tests, such as X-rays or MRIs, may also be used to spot any structural issues that could be affecting the nerves.

Treatment Options

Treatment for foot drop typically focuses on improving mobility and reducing the risk of falls; this can include wearing an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) to keep the foot stable, doing targeted physical therapy exercises, or using functional electrical stimulation (FES) to help lift the foot during walking.

Wheelchair Considerations

Occasionally, especially when drop foot is caused by a progressive condition like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or multiple sclerosis, or when mobility is severely limited, a wheelchair may be the safest and most practical option. This doesn’t always mean giving up walking altogether; for many, it’s simply a way to conserve energy and prevent falls.

Is Drop Foot Serious?

While foot drop might seem like a small problem at first, it can cause serious issues if left untreated.

As mentioned above, when you can’t lift your foot properly, you’re more likely to trip or fall, which could lead to sprains, fractures, or worse. Additionally, you may start walking differently to avoid dragging your toes, but that altered gait can put extra strain on your knees, hips, and lower back.

Over time, the muscles responsible for lifting your foot can weaken even further from lack of use, a process called muscle atrophy.

Can Drop Foot Be Cured?

It depends on what’s causing it. If the problem is caused by temporary damage, like compression or an injury, there’s a good chance of recovery with the right treatment. In some cases, people are able to fully regain normal movement once the underlying issue is resolved.

However, when foot drop is linked to long-term conditions such as permanent damage or neurological disorders, a complete cure may not be possible. In these situations, treatment focuses more on managing symptoms and improving quality of life rather than eliminating the problem entirely.

How Long Does Drop Foot Last?

For some, especially if the cause is temporary, it might go away within a few weeks or months. However, for others, particularly if the underlying issue is chronic, it can become a long-term or even permanent problem.

In Need of a Wheelchair? Get In Touch Today

If you or someone you care about is dealing with foot drop, it’s important to understand your options for staying mobile. At Freedom Mobility, we’re dedicated to helping you find the right wheelchair to fit your unique needs and keep you moving.

If you have questions or want help choosing the best equipment, give us a call at 800-980-5696 or fill out our contact form today!