Foot Drop: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Foot Drop or Dropped Foot is not a commonly seen condition, hence prompt assessment and diagnosis are essential. It is a condition where one finds it difficult to lift the front part of the foot and thus ends up dragging the toes on the floor.

Foot drop may have several causes such as peroneal nerve injury, neurodegenerative disorders, motor neuron disorders, etc.

It can affect just one or both feet and happen at any age. In most cases, foot drop is treatable. Depending on the root cause, foot drop could be temporary or permanent.

What is Foot Drop?

Foot drop, also known as Drop Foot, is a condition where you cannot lift the front part of the foot due to weakness or paralysis of the foot’s dorsiflexor muscles. This causes you to drag your foot when you walk or bend your knees to lift the foot higher, which leads to “steppage gait” (abnormal walking pattern).

Early Signs of Foot Drop

You may find lifting the front part of one or both feet difficult with foot drop, so you drag it on the floor while walking. To prevent dragging, some people may lift the knee or thigh higher than usual and the foot may slap when it hits the ground. This is called a steppage gait (abnormal walking).

Some other early signs and symptoms of foot drop are:

• Frequent tripping
• Changes in gait
• Reduced muscle mass
• Limping when walking
• No sensation or tingling in the foot or toes

Common Causes of Foot Drop

Foot drop is caused by paralysis or weakness of muscles or issues with nerves that are responsible for lifting your forefoot.

Common causes of foot drop are as follows:

1. Nerve Injury

Compression or injury of the peroneal nerve in the leg that controls the muscle movement of the forefoot often causes foot drop.

The peroneal nerve is a peripheral nerve that is very close to the skin, thus it can get injured easily. It is a branch of the sciatic nerve that runs down your leg. It supports sensation and movement in your toes, feet, and lower legs. Traumatic injury and damage to the ankle, leg, or knee damages peroneal nerves which may cause foot drop.

These injuries could be:

• Fibula Fracture
• Ankle Fracture
• Knee Fracture or Serious Knee Injury
• Nerve Compression during Knee or Hip Replacement surgery
• Dislocation of Knee
• Sciatic Nerve Injury

A cyst or tumor in the peroneal nerve or inflammatory issues like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis may also damage your peroneal nerve.

2. Muscle or Nerve Disorders

Myositis or Muscular dystrophy that leads to progressive muscle weakness, as well as other neurological disorders such as peripheral neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, polio, etc. can cause foot drop. Diabetic people are more prone to nerve disorders linked to foot drop.

3. Spinal Cord and Brain Disorders

Neurodegenerative disorders that affect the brain can cause foot drop. These include:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Stroke
• Cerebral palsy
• Parkinson’s disease
• Motor neuron disorders such as polio, ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), Lou Gehrig’s disease
• Some forms of spinal muscular atrophy

4. Lumbar Radiculopathy

Radiculopathy is a condition where the roots of your nerves in the lower back are pinched, irritated, or compressed, often due to narrowed space to exit. The lumbar spine has 5 bones (vertebra) in the lower back known as L1 to L5. Nerves in this area go down to your feet and legs.

Often, L5 radiculopathy is seen to be the root cause of foot drop. This can be due to:

• Herniated disk
• Lumbar spondylosis
• Bone spurs
• Spinal stenosis

Who is At Risk?

The peroneal nerve is what controls the muscles that lift your foot. If this nerve gets compressed due to certain activities, it increases the risk of foot drop. Some of such common activities are:

• Habitually Crossing legs
• Prolonged kneeling or squatting
• Prolonged Bed Rest
• Wearing a plaster or leg cast that wraps the ankle and goes up to the knee can put pressure on the peroneal nerve

Diagnosis

Foot Drop Treatment depends upon diagnosing what is causing the foot drop. Your doctor may perform a physical examination to look for signs and symptoms of foot drop, such as:

• Atrophy of leg or foot muscles
• Lack of muscle control in the feet or lower leg
• Inability to lift the toes or foot

Treatment and Care

Foot Drop Treatment depends upon the factor that is causing it. Addressing the cause will most likely cure your foot drop. However, if the cause is ongoing or chronic such as ALS or Multiple Sclerosis, it may lead to permanent foot drop.

Most cases will significantly benefit from Homeopathy medicine paired with physical therapy to strengthen muscles. With this line of treatment, your foot drop may completely recover.

Lifestyle Changes You Can Do If You Have Foot Drop

With foot drop, you may find it difficult to walk and often find yourself tripping as your toe reaches the ground. Here’s how you can help yourself with simple precautions to prevent injury:

• With the advice of a doctor/physiotherapist, use a walking aid like a walker, or stick
•  Do recommended exercises
• Use devices like shoe inserts, splints, and braces to improve gait
• Use handrails on stairs
• Make sure the floor is clutter-free to avoid tripping

Can Foot Drop go away on its own?

If the cause of foot drop is minor nerve compression, inflammation, or injury, it may resolve on its own when that nerve heals. In a few cases, foot drop is temporary and will go away with treatment. However, if the underlying cause is chronic, your foot drop may be serious and require immediate medical attention.

Conclusion

Since there is no way one can pinpoint surely what is causing foot drop, it is important to see a doctor for proper diagnosis.

Book an appointment with our highly experienced Homeo Doctor who specializes in treating patients with paralysis, neurological conditions, and other disabilities.

Our doctor provides online consultation via call or video call, during which he will study your case and prescribe homeopathic medication and physiotherapy (if any). Foot Drop Treatment with homeopathic medication is safe and 100% natural with no side effects.

Along with homeopathic medication, you can make some diet and lifestyle changes, wear footwear designed for foot drop, and do recommended exercises to retrain your gait.

Book an Online Consultation Now!