Foot drop, often known as drop foot, refers to the difficulty in elevating the front half of the foot. If you have foot drop, the front of your foot may drag on the ground when walking. Foot drop is not an illness. Rather, it indicates an underlying neurological, muscular, or anatomical issue.
Some Symptoms of Foot Drop include the following:
A person with foot drop may elevate their thigh higher than usual when walking, as if they were climbing steps, to help their foot clear the floor. This peculiar walking style, known as steppage gait, may cause the foot to slap against the floor with each step. In certain circumstances, the top of the foot and toes feel numb. Foot drop can happen to one or both feet, depending on the cause.
Some causes to keep an eye out about Foot Drop:
Foot drop is caused by weakening or paralysis of the muscles that elevate the front of the foot. Foot drop could be caused by the following:
- Nerve injury: The most common cause of foot drop is compression of a nerve in the leg that controls the muscles used to elevate the foot. This is referred to as the peroneal nerve. A significant knee injury can result in nerve compression. It can also become injured during hip or knee replacement surgery, resulting in foot drop. Foot drop can also result from a nerve root damage in the spine, known as a “pinched nerve”. Diabetes patients are more likely to develop nerve abnormalities that cause foot drop.
- Muscle or nerve disorders: Different types of muscular dystrophy, an inherited illness that causes gradual muscle weakness, can contribute to foot drop. Other neurological illnesses, such as polio or Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, may also be affected.
- Brain and spinal cord disorders: Foot drop can be caused by neurological or spinal cord illnesses such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Are there any risk factors you should be aware of in order to avoid foot drop?
The peroneal nerve directs the muscles that elevate the foot. This nerve runs along the skin’s surface on the knee side closest to the hand. Activities that compress this nerve may increase the likelihood of foot drop.
Some instances are:
- Leg crossing: People who frequently cross their legs can compress the peroneal nerve in their upper leg.
- Extensive kneeling: Foot drop can occur in jobs that require continuous squatting or kneeling, such as picking strawberries or installing floor tiles.
- Wearing a leg cast: Plaster casts that encircle the ankle and stop just below the knee may put strain on the peroneal nerve.
How is Foot Drop diagnosed?
A physical examination by a healthcare expert will be used to diagnose foot drop. The provider may request any of the following tests to determine the underlying cause of foot drop:
- Imaging procedures, such as X-rays, ultrasounds, and/or MRI scans, are used to detect compression or damage in your legs, spine, or brain.
- Certain blood tests, such as a blood sugar test, can detect diabetes and diabetes-related neuropathy.
- Nerve conduction tests are used to determine how well your nerves are functioning.
- Electromyography measures electrical activity in your leg muscles.
To summarize, foot drop is a warning indication of an underlying problem rather than a disease in itself. While some causes are transitory, others necessitate medical intervention. If you have any signs of foot drop, see a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment. Early intervention increases your chances of regaining complete function in your foot. Remember that making modest lifestyle modifications, such as avoiding extended leg crossing or squatting, can help lower your risk of foot drop.