Foot drop, or drop foot, involves a difficulty in lifting the front part of the foot, which can causes challenges while walking. It’s a common symptom ofmultiple sclerosis (MS), but it can also be caused by other neurological syndromes or physical damage to a nerve.
People with this symptom tend to walk by lifting the knee, as though they were walking up stairs. Other muscle- and nerve-relatedsymptoms of MScan compound the challenges presented by this condition.
There are many treatment options, ranging from braces to physical therapy to surgery. They may not completely restore a normal gait, but they can often reduce symptoms significantly and make walking easier.
Foot drop is typically caused by weakness in the muscles that are used to lift the front of the foot. It is associated with several different conditions,including:
- multiple sclerosis
- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease
- muscular dystrophy
- spinal muscular atrophy
- stroke
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), a neurological disorder
- Parkinson’s disease
- poliomyelitis, also known as polio
Foot drop can also be caused by injuries to the nerves that control the muscles that lift the foot. The affected nerves may be in the knee or in the lower spine.
Other causes includehiporknee replacement surgeryanddiabetes. Nerve damage in the eye, which can result in pain when moving the eye or even vision loss, can also cause difficulties with walking.
Other causes of foot drop includenerve compressionor aherniated disc.
Because MS disrupts communication between the brain and the body, nerve-related problems are common.Feelings of numbnessor tingling in the extremities are often the earliest signs of MS.
Nervous system problemscan develop into more serious complications. Foot drop is the result of a weakness in the tibialis anterior muscle, which iscontrolledby the deep peroneal nerve.
Foot drop-related walking problems can be made worse by other symptoms of MS.
Numbness in the feet canbecomeso severe that someone with MS may have difficulty feeling the floor or knowing where their feet are in relation to the floor. This condition is called sensory ataxia.Ataxiais a muscle control problem that prevents the coordination of movement.
Many symptoms of MS can causedifficulties with walking. The general sense of fatigue that accompanies MS causes leg muscles to become tired, and tightness or spasms in the leg muscles can add to walking problems. Even without foot drop, walking can be a challenge for people with MS.
There are several early symptoms that may be associated with drop foot, including trips, falls, and changes in gait.
A few of the most common early signs of drop foot
- decreased muscle mass
- frequent trips or falls
- limpness of the foot
- loss of sensation in the leg or foot
- changes in gait, such as raising your leg higher or swinging your leg to the side when walking
Foot drop treatment depends primarily on the cause of the condition and the extent of the disability. Treating a herniated disc, for example, may eliminate foot drop. But spinal surgery may not solve the problem for people with MS.
Orthotics
A variety oforthotics, such as braces and splints, are available. Some are worn in the shoes, while others are worn around the ankle or near the knee.
One widely used device is theankle foot orthosis (AFO). It helps keep the foot at a 90-degree angle to the lower leg to support it. While it can help improve your gait, it may require a larger shoe to accommodate the brace. An AFO may also become uncomfortable if worn for long periods of time.
Electrical stimulationwhile walking can also help reduce the symptoms of foot drop. This treatment is also known asfunctional electrical stimulation (FES). Small devices worn near the kneerespond腿的运动和发送mild electrical stimuli to the muscle to help it move properly.
A
Physical therapy
Physical therapymay also help. A variety of exercises can strengthen the leg muscles and improve flexibility. Working with a physical therapist who has a knowledge of MS and foot drop can be especially helpful.
Surgery
If orthotics or physical therapy don’t sufficiently manage the condition, there are several surgical solutions that may help, including:
- Tendor transfer.This
involves transferring a tendon that usually goes to a different part of the foot and directing it instead to the top of the foot to replace the tibialis anterior. - Ankle fusion.This type of surgery
fuses the foot and ankle to remove the burden from the surrounding muscles. However, this procedure reduces the flexibility of the ankle. - Nerve graft or transfer.This procedure is focused onrepairingdamaged nerves by
replacing them with healthy nerves. - Peroneal nerve decompression.This surgery is used totreat腓神经截留,a common cause of drop foot, by reducing pressure on the nerve.
- Lumbar decompression.This type of procedurerelievespressure on the nerves of the lower back. It usually involves removing small sections of bones from the vertebrae or from discs in the spine.
All surgeries carry risks, so it’s important to reach out to your doctor about all your treatment options. If you’re going to have surgery, be sure to understand the risks, benefits, and long-term results of your choice.
Many exercises for drop foot can help ease symptoms and help you regain mobility.
Assisted toe raises
- Place your affected foot on top of the non-affected foot.
- Use your non-affected foot to lift the other foot up and then lower it down slowly.
- Repeat 10-15 times.
Ankle abduction and adduction
- In a seated position, start by crossing your affected leg over your non-affected leg.
- Place your hand on the toes and use your hand to slowly move the foot up and down, keeping your ankle perpendicular to the floor as you move.
- Repeat 10 times.
Single leg stands
- Hold onto the back of a chair and try standing on your affected leg for 10-15 seconds at a time.
Ankle eversion and inversion
- Place your affected foot on the ground, slowly lift the outer edge of the foot up, and then lower it down.
- Next, try lifting the inner edge of the foot and lowering it slowly.
- Repeat each exercise 10 times.
Ankle dorsiflexion
- In a seated position, cross your affected leg over your non-affected leg.
- Use your hand to slowly dorsiflex your foot by moving the toes back towards the shin.
- Repeat 10-15 times.
The amount of time it takes to recover from drop foot can vary depending on the specific cause and the severity of injury to the associated nerves. Nerve injury may only take around
Potential signs of healing may include:
- improvements in balance
- increased strength or muscle mass
- reduced numbness
- decreased stiffness
Drop foot is a symptom characterized by difficulty lifting the front part of the foot, which can lead to issues with mobility.
Fortunately, there are several treatment options, which may include a combination of orthotics, physical therapy, and surgical procedures.
However, it’s important to seek early treatment to improve the chances of recovery.
What causes drop foot in both feet?
Though drop foot usually only affects one foot, it can affect both feet in some cases.
This may becausedby damage or injury to the common peroneal nerves in both legs, which can occur during certain surgical procedures. Drop foot can also be caused by spinal cord injuries and systemic diseases.
How common is drop foot?
Drop foot is a symptom associated with many different conditions.
For instance, it’s estimated to affect approximately
However, there is currently no research available on the overall prevalence of drop foot in the general population.
Can you walk with foot drop?
Drop foot causes issues with walking, including changes in gait or frequent falls and trips. Walking aids and devices like braces, splints, and shoe inserts can helpimprovemobility.
How long before foot drop is permanent?
Foot drop is often temporary and many people recover within a few months. However, it can be permanent in some cases, especially if it is
Is drop foot serious?
Drop foot can be a sign of other issues, some of which may be serious.
For this reason, it’s important to talk to your doctor if you experience drop foot to determine the cause and best course of treatment.