Symptoms of foot drop
The most common symptom of foot drop is dragging your toe on the ground when you walk. This can cause you to trip or fall. Other symptoms of foot drop include:
- Difficulty lifting your foot due to weakness or paralysis in the muscles that lift your foot
- An abnormal gait (the way you walk)
- Pain in your leg, ankle or foot
- Numbness in your leg or foot
Symptoms of foot drop may vary from mild to severe. The severity of your symptoms will depend on the underlying cause of your foot drop.
What causes foot drop?
Foot drop is usually caused by weakness or paralysis of the muscles that lift your foot. This can be due to a variety of conditions that damage the nerves or muscles, including:
- Peripheral neuropathy: This is a condition that causes nerve damage. It can be caused by diabetes, chemotherapy, HIV, certain infections and medical conditions, and exposure to toxins.
- Polio: This is a virus that can damage the nerves that control muscles. Polio is rare in developed countries, but it is still present in some parts of the world.
- Stroke: A stroke can damage the parts of the brain that control the muscles in your foot.
- Traumatic brain injury: A head injury can damage the parts of the brain that control the muscles in your foot.
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): This progressive neurological disease damages the nerve cells that control muscles.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS): This disease of the nervous system can damage the nerves that control muscles.
- Muscular dystrophy: This is a group of diseases that cause muscle weakness and loss of muscle mass.
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: This is a group of genetic disorders that affects the nerves.
What is the connection between foot drop and peripheral neuropathy?
The connection between foot drop and peripheral neuropathy is complex. Foot drop is often tied to peripheral neuropathy, which is a condition that causes nerve damage. Nerve damage can lead to weakness or paralysis of the muscles, a common cause of foot drop. Foot drop is also a common symptom of peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy can be caused by diabetes, chemotherapy, HIV, certain infections and medical conditions, and exposure to toxins.
Managing your peripheral neuropathy can help to reduce your foot drop symptoms. Treatment options for peripheral neuropathy include medication, lifestyle changes and surgery.
Common treatments for foot drop
Treatment for foot drop depends on the underlying cause. It may involve physical therapy, occupational therapy, splinting and/or orthotic devices. Surgery may also be an option in some cases. With treatment, most people with foot drop can improve their symptoms and regain normal function.
The core treatment for foot drop is to treat the underlying cause. For example, peripheral neuropathy is often treated with medication, physical therapy and lifestyle changes. If foot drop is caused by muscular dystrophy, treatment may involve physical therapy and medications to slow the progression of the disease.
In some cases, surgery may be an option. Surgery can be used to release the muscles or tendons that are causing the foot drop. Occupational therapy can also be helpful. This therapy can teach you how to use splints or orthotic devices. These devices can help support your foot and ankle, making walking easier. Orthotic devices, such as ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs), are devices that are worn around the leg and foot. They help to support the foot and keep it in the correct position.
Conclusion
Foot drop is a condition that causes weakness or paralysis of the muscles that lift your foot. It can be caused by various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy, stroke and multiple sclerosis.
Treatment for foot drop depends on the underlying cause. In most cases, treatment focuses on physical therapy and orthotic devices. With treatment, most people with foot drop are able to improve their symptoms and regain normal function.
WinSanTor is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of treatments for peripheral neuropathies. We believe in creating a solution that works and brings relief to millions that are struggling with this disease. Learn more about our company, our drug and subscribe to our newsletter.
Sources
- “Foot Drop”. Penn Medicine
- “Foot drop – Symptoms and causes”. Mayo Clinic
- “Foot drop – Diagnosis and treatment”. Mayo Clinic
- “Foot Drop: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment”. Cleveland Clinic
- “drop foot – Blog”. Neofect
- “Peripheral Neuropathy”. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
