Foot drop is a condition that affects a person's ability to raise the front part of one or both feet. Depending on the cause of this condition, it can either be a temporary or permanent problem.
Causes of Foot Drop
Foot drop is only a symptom of underlying medical conditions or diseases that affect the muscles and nerves. Some of these medical conditions include Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Spinal muscular atrophy, Muscular dystrophy, Cerebral palsy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, or polio.
Diabetes is also an illness that causes Peroneal Nerve Stimulation foot drops. Here a person suffers an injury at the peroneal nerve, which is located in the lower leg that helps to control movement and feeling in the leg.
Common Symptoms of Foot Drop?
People with foot drop often experience muscle weakness. You will also find them dragging their toes as they walk or lifting their knees higher than usual so they don't drag their toes. They may also experience a sensational “tingling” feeling in the leg.
How Is Foot Drop Diagnosed?
The best way to diagnose foot drop is through medical examination by a doctor. Your doctor will request to know your symptoms, examine your leg muscles and see how you walk to be able to identify any weakness or damage. This can be done through several tests, including;
Imaging tests. Here the doctor uses ultrasound, MRI, X-rays, and CT scans, to examine injuries that affect the brain, legs, or spinal cord.
Blood test. This can be used to check your blood sugar level and identify potential toxins that cause this condition.
Nerve conductiontests. This test is used to examine how the nerves in the affected area function.
Electromyography. This involves the use of electrodes placed on the leg muscles to measure how well they transmit signals and sensations.
How to Treat Foot Drop
Treatment for foot drop varies depending on what is causing it. A few of these treatment options include the following;
Peroneal Nerve Stimulation Foot Drop
This is the use of electrodes placed on a person's lower leg while being connected to a small pack that can often be worn on the patient's hip. This pack transmits several impulses to the electrodes that shorten the nerves in the lower leg, which causes the leg to lift. Some of these electrodes are implanted in the patient's leg via surgery.
Conclusion
While Gait Rehabilitation After Stroke helps most people recover from foot drop, others do not. Whenever you notice any symptoms of foot drop, consult your doctor, who will examine and recommend Peroneal Nerve Stimulation Foot Drop if needed.