Exploring the Causes and Symptoms of Foot Drop
If you’ve noticed you can’t lift your foot up or have a hard time walking, you might have what we at Goldsmith Podiatry call foot drop. This frustrating condition is a common gait abnormality with not so common neurological issues. In this article, we’ll unpack what foot drop is, what causes it, and the symptoms to watch for.
What is Foot Drop?
Foot drop is the inability to lift the front part of your foot, and since you can't lift your toes or the front of your foot, they drag on the ground when you walk.
To compensate, people with foot drop often develop a distinctive "steppage gait." This means they lift their knee unusually high, like climbing stairs, to avoid dragging their toes. When their foot comes down, it might make a noticeable slap sound.
Because of this, foot drop can raise fall risk (tripping over your own foot is a major concern), especially when it comes to stairs, uneven surfaces, or thick carpets. The altered gait can also cause secondary pain in the knee, hip, or back.
The Underlying Causes of Foot Drop
Foot drop always points to an underlying problem that affects the nerves or muscles controlling the foot's upward movement- even if it’s direct trauma to the foot, perhaps from a deep cut or fracture.
But the main culprit is nerve compression, specifically of the peroneal nerve, which runs along the side of the knee. This nerve can get pinched from habits like routinely crossing your legs, prolonged squatting, or even direct trauma to the knee area.
Sometimes, the nerve problems originate higher up from a pinched nerve in the lower back, often due to a herniated disc or sciatica. This affects the nerve roots that supply the muscles controlling the foot.
Foot drop can also be a symptom of more widespread neurological conditions affecting the brain or spinal cord. These include a stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or inherited conditions like Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
Symptoms of Foot Drop
The primary and most obvious symptom is difficulty or inability to lift the front of the foot. Beyond this, you might notice:
A high-stepping or "slapping" gait, as described earlier, to avoid tripping.
The toes dragging on the ground (and subsequent scuff marks on shoes).
Numbness or tingling along the top of the foot or shin if the sensory part of the nerve is also affected.
Weakness when trying to move the foot or ankle upwards.
Pain, though it's not always present and, varies depending on the cause.
Start today. Your feet will thank you tomorrow. For more advice when it comes to your foot health and wellness, give us a call at (212) 877-1002 so Dr. Howard Goldsmith, Dr. Rosanna Troia, and Dr. Kristina T. Ruff at Goldsmith Podiatry can help alleviate any podiatric problems you’re facing.