Foot Drop
Foot drop is a neurological disorder in which an individual cannot lift their foot or toes in order to clear the floor when walking.
- What is foot drop?
- Effects of foot drop
- Physiotherapy treatment for foot drop
- Benefits of physiotherapy treatment for foot drop
What is foot drop?
Foot drop is a neurological problem in which an individual finds it difficult or completely lacks the ability to lift their foot and toes up from the floor. In normal circumstances the central nervous system transmits impulses through nerves to the muscles in the lower leg, which lift the foot and toes up from the floor. If the central nervous system or the peripheral nervous system is damaged then the transmission of impulses to the muscles which lift the foot and toes is inhibited.
The lack of stimulation to the muscles that normally lift the foot and toes causes the foot to drop. Foot drop is very problematic during walking as an individual is unable to lift their foot and toes to clear the floor, resulting in a high incidence of trips and falls.
Foot drop can be caused by any number of conditions, including:
- Peripheral nerve damage
- Trauma to the muscles or spine
- Stroke
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Muscular dystrophy
At Liverpool Neuro Physio our experienced neurological physiotherapists can provide you with effective treatments to help strengthen the muscles involved in lifting the foot, as well as advising on appropriate orthotics to hold the foot in place, to reduce the risk of falls and to make it easier for you to walk.
Effects of foot drop
The effects of foot drop depend upon the severity of damage to the nervous system, but the main effects include:
- Low muscle tone resulting in muscle weakness and wasting of the muscles around the ankle and foot.
- Muscle tightness, particularly in the calf muscle.
- Over compensation in the muscles of the hip and the knee.
- Poor balance.
- Difficulty walking.
- High incidence of falls.
Physiotherapy treatment for foot drop
At Liverpool Neuro Physio your physiotherapist will provide you with a personalised treatment plan, consisting of exercises aimed at increasing your active range of movement in the ankle and foot in order to assist your ability to lift your foot from the floor. Physiotherapy treatment for foot drop often includes:
- Strengthening exercises to improve muscle activity in the ankle/leg.
- Stretching exercises to help prevent muscle spasms and cramping.
- Balance re-education using exercises that focus on your core stability in order to improve your standing balance and reduce the incidence of falls.
- Soft tissue mobilisations of the muscles in the ankle and foot to improve range of movement and reduce pain and stiffness.
- Gait training in order to improve the coordination of your limbs during walking and to reduce over compensation in the hip and knee.
- Provision of orthotics to help maintain the foot in the correct position when walking and reduce the effort of walking.
At Liverpool Neuro Physio your physiotherapist will design a treatment programme based around your individual problems and will discuss your goals during the treatment planning process which will be reviewed regularly throughout your treatment.
Benefits of physiotherapy treatment for foot drop
At Liverpool Neuro Physio we understand that living with foot drop can greatly reduce your functional independence, as your ability to walk is significantly affected. Therefore our physiotherapists will provide you with the best quality of care to assist you in regaining the ability to walk. Successful management of your drop foot may result in the following benefits:
- Improved mobility
- Improved balance in standing and walking
- Improved coordination of limbs in walking
- Reduced incidence of falls
- Increased muscle strength and stability
- Improved muscle control
- Retrained normal patterns of movement in walking
- Improved confidence
- Improved independence
If you suffer from foot drop then our physiotherapists at Liverpool Neuro Physio can help you to manage your condition. Our aim is to ensure that you get the best out of our physiotherapy services.
To arrange an appointment or to speak to one of our specialists, call us on 0151 558 0188 or email office@liverpoolneurophysio.co.uk.