Foot Drop

Foot drop is a gait abnormality in which the dropping of the forefoot happens due to weakness, damage to the peroneal nerve or paralysis of the muscles in the anterior portion of the lower leg. It is usually a symptom of a greater problem, not a disease in itself. It is characterized by the inability or difficulty in moving the ankle and toes upward (dorsiflexion). The severity in foot drop can range from a temporary to permanent condition, depending on the extent of muscle weakness or paralysis. It can occur unilaterally or bilaterally. In walking, while stepping forward, the knees are slightly bent so the front of the foot can be lifted higher than usual to prevent the foot from dragging along the ground. Foot drop can be caused by nerve damage alone. However, it is also caused by muscle or spinal nerve trauma, abnormal anatomy, toxins or disease. Diseases that can cause foot drop include stroke, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease), muscular dystrophy, Charcot Marie Tooth disease, multiple sclerosis, and freidriech's ataxia