You won’t be surprised to hear us stress the critical role foot health plays in your overall mobility and independence. One condition that can noticeably affect the way you walk is foot drop, a symptom that makes it difficult to lift the front of your foot, often causing the toes to drag or creating a high-stepping gait.
Any gait abnormality should be addressed promptly. At Beyond Podiatry, our experienced podiatrists provide compassionate, advanced care to diagnose the root cause of foot drop and develop a treatment plan in coordination with your full care team. Early evaluation can improve outcomes, enhance mobility, and reduce the risk of falls.
What exactly is foot drop?
Foot drop (also called drop foot) actually isn’t a condition by itself. It’s a sign that something deeper is affecting the nerves or muscles that lift your foot. When these muscles weaken or the nerves supplying them don’t fire correctly, the front of the foot doesn’t lift the way it should during walking.
This can lead to noticeable changes in the way you move, including:
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Toes dragging or scraping the floor while walking
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A high-stepping “steppage gait” to avoid tripping
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Frequent stumbles, imbalance, or extra fatigue while walking
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Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the foot or lower leg
Understanding why this happens is the first step our doctors will take with you toward getting the right diagnosis and personalized treatment plan with the rest of your care team.
Common Causes of Foot Drop
Foot drop can develop suddenly or gradually, and often falls into one of these categories:
Muscle-Related Causes
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Muscular dystrophy
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Conditions causing muscle atrophy or severe weakness
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Prolonged immobility or bed rest
Nerve-Related Causes
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Compression or injury to the peroneal nerve
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Nerve damage from prolonged sitting, leg crossing, fractures, or surgery
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Neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke, ALS, or cerebral palsy
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Spinal issues such as herniated discs or spinal stenosis
Environmental Causes
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Trauma to the ankle, foot, or lower leg
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Post-surgical complications involving the hip, knee, or spine
Signs & Symptoms of Foot Drop
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Difficulty lifting the front of the foot
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Toes dragging or catching on the ground
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High-stepping gait to avoid dragging
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Numbness or tingling on the foot or shin
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Weakness in the foot or lower leg
Getting Diagnosed
At Beyond Podiatry, we work closely with your primary care provider, neurologist, orthopedist, or other specialists to ensure you receive an accurate diagnosis and comprehensive treatment plan.
Physical Examination
Your podiatrist may:
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Observe your walking pattern
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Evaluate muscle strength
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Test for numbness along the shin, foot, and toes
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Assess reflexes and functional mobility
Imaging Tests
These might be ordered to pinpoint structural or compressive causes such as a cyst, tumor, or bone overgrowth.
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X-ray: Detects bone issues or masses affecting the nerve.
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Ultrasound: Identifies cysts, swelling, or nerve compression.
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CT Scan: Provides detailed cross-sectional images of bone and tissue.
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MRI: Ideal for identifying soft tissue lesions, nerve compression, or spinal involvement.
Nerve Tests
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Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies measure electrical activity in the muscles and nerves.
These tests help determine the exact location and severity of nerve damage.
Be Prepared: Questions Our Doctors May Ask
To help us diagnose the cause of your foot drop quickly and accurately, be ready to answer the following:
- Have you noticed any weakness in one or both legs?
- Do you experience numbness or tingling in your foot or leg?
- Do you have any pain? Where is it located, and how would you describe it?
- Are your symptoms constant, or do they come and go?
- Does your foot ever “slap” the ground when you walk?
- Do you have a history of diabetes?
- Have you experienced other types of muscle weakness?
- What seems to make your symptoms better?
- What seems to make them worse?
- (Optional but helpful): Have you had any recent injuries, surgeries, or prolonged periods of sitting or immobilization?
Treatment Options
Your treatment will depend largely on what’s causing the foot drop. We may recommend the treatments below after working with the rest of your care team.
Braces & Orthotics
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Ankle-Foot Orthosis (AFO) braces to support the foot and prevent dragging
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Custom orthotic inserts to improve stability and comfort
Physical Therapy
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Strengthening and stretching exercises
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Gait training to reduce fall risks
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Balance improvement strategies
Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)
Devices that send mild electrical pulses to activate the muscles responsible for lifting the foot.
Addressing the Underlying Cause
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Managing nerve compression or spinal issues
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Treating systemic conditions like diabetes
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Coordinating other treatment options with the rest of your care team
Surgical Options
In more severe or long-standing cases of foot drop, surgery may be considered as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. At Beyond Podiatry, we work closely with your full care team to determine whether a surgical approach makes sense and, if so, which option is safest and most effective for your unique situation.
Our goal is always to guide you toward the treatment path that provides the best chance of restoring function, improving stability, and supporting long-term mobility.
Living Safely with Foot Drop
Foot drop can increase your risk of trips and falls, particularly at home. Keeping floors clear of clutter, avoiding loose rugs, moving electrical cords out of walkways, ensuring hallways and staircases are well lit, and adding fluorescent tape to the top and bottom of steps are simple ways to stay safe. Combined with the right treatment, these precautions can make a big difference in daily mobility.
We will work closely with you and your care team to identify the root cause, coordinate your care, and create a personalized plan that helps you move safely and confidently. If you’re noticing toe-dragging, frequent tripping, or unexplained weakness, early evaluation can improve outcomes and support a stronger, steadier
