Foot Drop

Foot drop is a general term for difficulty lifting the front part of your foot. You may feel compelled, and even forced, to drag the front of your foot on the ground as you walk. Foot drop isn’t a disease in and out of itself, but is a sign for an underlying neurological, muscular, or anatomical problem. Foot drop can be temporary or permanent. Causes include nerve injury, brain or spinal disorders, as well as muscle disorders.

An ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) is often used to treat foot drop. If the foot drop is caused by hemiplegia, peroneal nerve stimulation can be an option. Foot drop due to direct trauma to the dorsiflexors calls for surgical repair.