Drop foot options?

Foot Drop: Foot drop is usually caused by weakness in the anterior compartment of the leg or injury to either the common fibular nerve as it winds around the head of the fibula or the deep fibular nerve. Sometimes this damage is permanent yet it can resolve.

Bracing: Regardless of the cause of your foot drop, (and there are many causes), you can help yourself with bracing. Bracing is an important first step to increase your safety when walking. There are also newer spring loaded braces and nerve stimulators that can be very helpful for foot drop. Ask your doctor for a referral to a physiatrist, aka a rehab doctor. Good luck.

DIAGNOSIS: Are you saying this just happened out of the blue, or do you have a medical diagnosis from a doctor? Any injury? That information would be helpful in answering your question. Sincerely, Dr. Latva

Bracing: One of the best ways to deal with drop foot is using a custom made ankle-foot-orthosis (AFO). This device can be made in a number of ways depending on the type of foot drop you have. Please be sure to follow up with your local foot and ankle specialist to see if they can help you obtain a custom AFO.

Brace or surgery: The main treatment options for permanent drop foot include having a custom AFO (fancy ankle brace) made to keep your foot at 90 degrees to give you stability as well as prevent tripping/falling. The other option is surgical correction would could involve tendon transfers or fusion of the ankle joint.

A Few: Treatment options for a foot drop typically include bracing with an AFO or surgery which can include tendon transfers/lengthening vs ankle fusion. Depends if the deformity is what we call reducible or rigid as well. See an Orthopod or surgical Podiatrist for more detailed treatment outline.