foot drop

Foot drop or drop foot is a general term for difficulty lifting the front part of the foot. If you have foot drop you may drag the front of your foot on the ground when you walk. It isn't a disease but a sign of an underlying neurological, muscular or anatomical problem.

SYMPTOMS: Difficulty lifting the front part of your foot which is sometimes the only sign of foot drop. (2) dragging your foot on the floor as you walk. (3) slapping your foot down onto the floor with each step you take. (4) raising your thigh when you walk, as if you were climbing stairs.

Foot drop typically affects only one foot. Depending on the underlying cause, however, it is possible for both feet to be affected.

CAUSES: Fo

ot drop is caused by weakness or paralysis of the muscles below the knee involved in lifting the front part of the foot. The underlying causes of foot drop are varied. Often, neurological, muscular and anatomical problems overlap. There could be an injury to the muscles that control the ankle and toes . Sometimes nerve damage from an injury to the nerves in the lower spine or leg to the long-term nerve damage of diabetes can cause foot drop.

Various forms of muscular dystrophy, an inherited disease that causes progressive muscle weakness may contribute to foot drop.

TREATMENTS: Braces or splints on you ankle and foot that fits into your shoe can help hold your foot in a normal position. PHYSICAL THERAPY using exercises that strengthen your leg muscles and help you maintain the range of motion in your knee and ankle may improve gait problems associated with drop foot. NERVE STIMULATION sometimes stimulating the nerve that lifts the foot when you step improves foot drop. SURGERY in some cases where foot drop is permanent. Surgery that fuses ankle or foot bones or that transfers tendons to stronger leg muscles may be helpful to improve walking difficulties.

If you are experiencing some of these symptoms give Dr. T. F. Vail's office a call at 419-423-1888 to have your foot checked.

You could visit our online store at www.vailfoot.com and there are AFO braces that you may want to try. But it is best to get a podiatrist's opinion first before you try any bracing or splints.