Abnormal condition in which the foot is not in its normal flexed position, but rather drags; it is usually due to damage to the nerves of the foot.
An abnormal neuromuscular condition often caused by damage to the nerve that extends into the foot. In foot-drop, there is an inability to flex the foot. Consequently, it catches on the ground when walking. Most cases of foot-drop are caused by external pressure or trauma to the peroneal nerve or by pressure on the nerve as it exits the spinal column, as can occur with a herniated disk. Treatment depends on the underlying cause. A foot-drop splint can be used to keep the foot in a fixed position while walking.
Plantar flexion of the foot due to injury, paralysis, or weakness of the nerves supplying the anterior tibial muscles. It may result in dragging of the foot or toes while walking.
A condition of weakness in the muscles of the foot and ankle, caused by poor nerve conduction, which interferes with a person’s ability to flex the ankle and walk with a normal heel-toe pattern. The toes touch the ground before the heel, causing the person to trip or lose balance.
A state where the foot can’t be appropriately lifted and dangles loosely from the ankle, leading to it snagging on the ground when the individual with the condition attempts to walk.
Foot-drop is often caused by neuritis, which is the inflammation of nerves supplying the foot muscles. This issue can be attributed to several conditions such as diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, or a neuropathy, which is a nerve disorder. The weakness in the foot muscles could also be a result of pressure on a nerve at the location it departs from the spinal cord, which could be due to a disc prolapse or a tumor. Damage to the leg muscles stemming from an injury could also lead to foot-drop.
Treatment focuses on addressing the root cause, but the weakness often continues in many individuals. To assist in walking, a lightweight plastic brace may be used to keep the foot stable.