Drop foot is not a disease but a symptom of an underlying problem. Foot drop may be temporary or permanent, depending on the cause. Often foot drop syndrome is caused by injury to the peroneal nerve deep within the lumbar and sacral spine. Foot drop may also lead to bunions, corns and calluses.
The peroneal nerve is a division of the sciatic nerve and it runs along the outside of the lower leg (below the knee) and branches off into each ankle, foot, and first two toes. It transmits signals to muscle groups responsible for ankle, foot, and toe movement and sensation.
Drop foot is found in some patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and Parkinson's Disease. And people with drop foot symptoms should wear socks that are softer and give them more comfort, also it is ideal if they wear specific foot drop footwear for drop foot. In some conditions, a drop foot splint might be advisable. Physical therapy for foot drop patients is definitely good to have.
Cure For Drop Foot: Treatment for drop foot is dependent on the underlying cause.
Foot Drop And Braces: Some patients may be fitted with a drop foot brace called "Ankle Foot Orthosis" (also known as ankle stabilizing orthosis), or splint that fits into the shoe to stabilize the ankle/foot. Gait training may also be incorporated into the patient's physical therapy treatment plan.
Surgery may become a need to correct or alleviate the underlying problem causing drop foot. For example, if drop foot is caused by nerve compression from a lumbar herniated disc (possible herniated disc treatment required), then a spinal surgical procedure called discectomy (disc removal) may be required to relieve or 'decompress' the nerve.
Read more on foot drop and braces and drop foot shoe.
