Foot Drop – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Foot drop describes a condition where a person has trouble lifting the front part of their foot while walking. This can cause the toes to drag on the ground during movement.
It’s important to understand that foot drop itself is not a disease but rather a symptom that points to other underlying issues affecting nerves, muscles, or the physical structure of the foot.
The condition may be temporary in some cases, allowing for complete recovery. In other situations, it can become a permanent condition.
Many people with foot drop need to wear special braces that support the ankle and foot. These braces keep the foot properly positioned to improve walking ability.
Signs of Foot Drop
Foot drop makes lifting the front part of your foot difficult. When walking, your foot might drag on the floor.
To avoid this, you may lift your thigh higher than normal, similar to climbing stairs. This walking style is called steppage gait.
With each step, your foot might slap down loudly on the floor. Some people also experience numbness on the top of the foot and toes.
Foot drop can affect one foot or both feet, depending on what’s causing it.
When to Seek Medical Help
Visit your healthcare provider if you notice your toes dragging when you walk. Without proper treatment, foot drop can reduce your mobility and function over time.
This condition may lead to ongoing pain that affects your daily activities and quality of life. Acting quickly gives you the best chance for successful treatment and recovery.
Causes
Foot drop happens when muscles that lift the front of the foot become weak or paralyzed. Several conditions can lead to this problem:
Nerve Compression or Damage
- Compression of the peroneal nerve (the nerve controlling foot-lifting muscles) in the leg
- Serious knee injuries
- Complications from hip or knee replacement surgery
- Pinched nerves in the spine
- Diabetic nerve disorders
Muscle and Nerve Disorders
- Various forms of muscular dystrophy
- Polio
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
Brain and Spinal Cord Problems
- Stroke
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
The peroneal nerve is most often involved in foot drop cases. This nerve runs near the surface of the skin around the knee, making it vulnerable to injury.
When damaged, the nerve can’t properly signal the muscles that lift the foot.
People with diabetes face higher risks of nerve problems that may lead to foot drop. These nerve issues develop gradually as high blood sugar damages nerve fibers throughout the body.
Risk Factors
The peroneal nerve plays a key role in foot movement. This nerve sits close to the skin on the outer side of the knee and controls muscles that lift the foot.
When this nerve gets compressed, it can lead to foot drop. Several everyday activities can put pressure on this nerve:
Common Activities That Increase Risk:
- Crossing your legs: This habit puts pressure on the nerve in the uppermost leg, potentially causing damage over time.
- Kneeling for long periods: Jobs requiring prolonged squatting or kneeling, such as floor installation or picking crops, can compress the nerve.
- Wearing leg casts: Plaster casts that end just below the knee but cover the ankle may press against the peroneal nerve.
The position of the peroneal nerve makes it vulnerable to injury. Since it runs near the skin’s surface, it has less protection than deeper nerves in the body.
People with certain occupations face higher risks due to positions they maintain throughout the workday. Those who frequently work on their knees should take regular breaks to reduce pressure on this sensitive area.
Medical devices like casts require careful fitting and monitoring. Healthcare providers should check for signs of nerve compression when patients wear leg casts that might affect the peroneal nerve area.
Understanding these risk factors helps people make simple changes to reduce their chances of developing foot drop. For those who must cross their legs or kneel regularly, taking breaks to change position can help protect nerve function.
