Foot drop is a feeling of weakness while attempting to lift the foot and/or toes upward (dorsiflexion). 1 Bouche P. Compression and entrapment neuropathies. In: Handbook of Clinical Neurology. Elsevier; 2013:311-366. doi:10.1016/b978-0-444-52902-2.00019-9 Foot drop typically causes the individual to involuntarily drag the toes of the affected foot while attempting to walk. 2 Larson RD, Cantrell GS, Farrell JW, Lantis DJ, Pribble BA. Assessment, Consequence, and Clinical Implication of Asymmetry. In: Nutrition and Lifestyle in Neurological Autoimmune Diseases. Elsevier; 2017:127-134. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-805298-3.00013-x To compensate for this dragging, a high steppage or slapping gait 1 Bouche P. Compression and entrapment neuropathies. In: Handbook of Clinical Neurology. Elsevier; 2013:311-366. doi:10.1016/b978-0-444-52902-2.00019-9 is attempted, where the leg is lifted higher than normal on the affected side for the toes to clear the surface. 3 Chaitow L, DeLany J. Gait analysis. In: Clinical Application of Neuromuscular Techniques, Volume 2. Elsevier; 2011:61-84. doi:10.1016/b978-0-443-06815-7.00003-6

Foot drop is usually present when one or both of the following signs are present:

  • Difficulty or inability to walk on the heels of the feet
  • Loss of balance while standing without support and with the eyes closed (also called Romberg’s sign) 3 Chaitow L, DeLany J. Gait analysis. In: Clinical Application of Neuromuscular Techniques, Volume 2. Elsevier; 2011:61-84. doi:10.1016/b978-0-443-06815-7.00003-6

Foot drop may affect one or both feet at a time. 4 Katirji B. Case 8. In: Electromyography in Clinical Practice. Elsevier; 2007:143-156. doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-02899-8.50017-3

Foot Drop Is the Symptom of an Underlying Medical Condition

Foot drop usually occurs when there is a problem with the nerves in the lower spine, leg, or foot or the muscles of the leg and foot. 4 Katirji B. Case 8. In: Electromyography in Clinical Practice. Elsevier; 2007:143-156. doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-02899-8.50017-3

Neurological causes

Typically, if the heel strikes the floor first as the foot lands, a dysfunction of the lower spinal nerve root(s) or peripheral nerve(s) may be suspected. 3 Chaitow L, DeLany J. Gait analysis. In: Clinical Application of Neuromuscular Techniques, Volume 2. Elsevier; 2011:61-84. doi:10.1016/b978-0-443-06815-7.00003-6 Neurological causes may include one or more of the following:

  • Radiculopathy: Symptoms following nerve root irritation or compression in the lumbar spine, for example, radiculopathy of the L5 nerve root 5 Liu K, Zhu W, Shi J, et al. Foot drop caused by lumbar degenerative disease: clinical features, prognostic factors of surgical outcome and clinical stage. PLoS One. 2013;8(11):e80375. Published 2013 Nov 5. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0080375 , 6 Craig A, Richardson JK. Localized peripheral neuropathies. In: A Comprehensive Guide to Geriatric Rehabilitation. Elsevier; 2014:233-241. doi:10.1016/b978-0-7020-4588-2.00033-4

    See Lumbar Radiculopathy

  • Neuropathy: Damage to a peripheral nerve in the leg at any point along its path, for example, neuropathy of the common peroneal nerve, deep peroneal nerve, or the sciatic nerve 6 Craig A, Richardson JK. Localized peripheral neuropathies. In: A Comprehensive Guide to Geriatric Rehabilitation. Elsevier; 2014:233-241. doi:10.1016/b978-0-7020-4588-2.00033-4

    See All About Neuropathy And Chronic Back Pain

  • Lumbosacral plexopathy: Damage to a group of nerves (plexus) in the lumbar and sacral spine 6 Craig A, Richardson JK. Localized peripheral neuropathies. In: A Comprehensive Guide to Geriatric Rehabilitation. Elsevier; 2014:233-241. doi:10.1016/b978-0-7020-4588-2.00033-4

Foot drop may also occur when the nerves in the leg and/or feet are damaged due to systemic conditions or genetic disorders. A few examples include diabetes, vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels), and hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP). 7 Bertorini TE. A Man with Recurrent Foot Drop*. In: Neuromuscular Case Studies. Elsevier; 2008:386-392. doi:10.1016/b978-0-7506-7332-7.50068-4 Rarely, a tumor, blocked blood vessel, or bleeding in the brain may cause foot drop. 8 Dolev A, Robinson D, Yassin M. A Central Nervous System Tumor Mimicking a Lumbar Spine Pathology Causing Acute Foot Drop: A Case Report. J Orthop Case Rep. 2018;8(5):78–81. doi:10.13107/jocr.2250-0685.1222

Muscular causes

If the toes strike first as the foot lands on the floor, the cause may be weakness or paralysis of the pretibial, peroneal, or hip flexor muscles. 3 Chaitow L, DeLany J. Gait analysis. In: Clinical Application of Neuromuscular Techniques, Volume 2. Elsevier; 2011:61-84. doi:10.1016/b978-0-443-06815-7.00003-6

Foot drop vs. flail foot

While foot drop typically causes severe foot weakness, bending the foot downward or turning it to the left and/or right side is usually possible with some degree of weakness. 1 Bouche P. Compression and entrapment neuropathies. In: Handbook of Clinical Neurology. Elsevier; 2013:311-366. doi:10.1016/b978-0-444-52902-2.00019-9

It is important to distinguish foot drop from flail foot, where no ankle and/or foot movements are possible in any direction. 4 Katirji B. Case 8. In: Electromyography in Clinical Practice. Elsevier; 2007:143-156. doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-02899-8.50017-3 A flail foot may indicate a more serious condition or a medical emergency, such as cauda equina syndrome or stroke.

Watch Cauda Equina Syndrome Video

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Characteristics of Foot Drop

Foot drop can occur in several ways. A few characteristics of foot drop are described below.

Foot drop may go unnoticed

It is possible to have foot drop without being aware of the symptom. Individuals may walk as usual, but intermittently or repeatedly trip over themselves or feel like their footwear is loose. These symptoms may indicate an initial stage of foot drop due to nerve dysfunction and/or muscle weakness.

Foot drop may be the only presenting symptom

A mild foot drop causing intermittent tripping or a severe form, where lifting the foot and/or walking is difficult may sometimes be the only symptom a person experiences. Foot drop without associated pain or other discomfort may occur when a nerve root, most frequently, L5 is compressed or irritated, causing muscle weakness in the leg. 5 Liu K, Zhu W, Shi J, et al. Foot drop caused by lumbar degenerative disease: clinical features, prognostic factors of surgical outcome and clinical stage. PLoS One. 2013;8(11):e80375. Published 2013 Nov 5. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0080375

Foot drop usually resolves or decreases when the cause is treated

Foot drop may resolve in a few days to weeks when the underlying condition is treated. For example, if a lumbar herniated disc causes the foot drop symptoms, as the herniation in the disc resolves, the foot drop may improve at the same time. Conversely, if the lower back condition persists, the foot drop may also remain.

If the underlying cause is left untreated, over time the foot drop may be accompanied by pain, numbness, and/or tingling.

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When Foot Drop Is Serious

Sometimes, foot drop may be accompanied by certain symptoms, which may indicate serious medical conditions. A few examples of serious symptoms include:

  • Severe weakness causing an inability to move the foot in any direction (flail foot)
  • Severe pain and numbness
  • Fever
  • Nausea
  • Loss of appetite and/or weight
  • Loss of bowel and/or bladder control

These symptoms may indicate medical emergencies such as cauda equina syndrome, tumors, stroke, or infections and must be treated immediately.

See Cauda Equina Syndrome

Both nonsurgical and/or surgical methods may be used for treating foot drop. Typically, nonsurgical treatments such as medication and/or physical therapy are tried first.

See Medications for Neuropathic Pain

  • 1 Bouche P. Compression and entrapment neuropathies. In: Handbook of Clinical Neurology. Elsevier; 2013:311-366. doi:10.1016/b978-0-444-52902-2.00019-9
  • 2 Larson RD, Cantrell GS, Farrell JW, Lantis DJ, Pribble BA. Assessment, Consequence, and Clinical Implication of Asymmetry. In: Nutrition and Lifestyle in Neurological Autoimmune Diseases. Elsevier; 2017:127-134. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-805298-3.00013-x
  • 3 Chaitow L, DeLany J. Gait analysis. In: Clinical Application of Neuromuscular Techniques, Volume 2. Elsevier; 2011:61-84. doi:10.1016/b978-0-443-06815-7.00003-6
  • 4 Katirji B. Case 8. In: Electromyography in Clinical Practice. Elsevier; 2007:143-156. doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-02899-8.50017-3
  • 5 Liu K, Zhu W, Shi J, et al. Foot drop caused by lumbar degenerative disease: clinical features, prognostic factors of surgical outcome and clinical stage. PLoS One. 2013;8(11):e80375. Published 2013 Nov 5. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0080375
  • 6 Craig A, Richardson JK. Localized peripheral neuropathies. In: A Comprehensive Guide to Geriatric Rehabilitation. Elsevier; 2014:233-241. doi:10.1016/b978-0-7020-4588-2.00033-4
  • 7 Bertorini TE. A Man with Recurrent Foot Drop*. In: Neuromuscular Case Studies. Elsevier; 2008:386-392. doi:10.1016/b978-0-7506-7332-7.50068-4
  • 8 Dolev A, Robinson D, Yassin M. A Central Nervous System Tumor Mimicking a Lumbar Spine Pathology Causing Acute Foot Drop: A Case Report. J Orthop Case Rep. 2018;8(5):78–81. doi:10.13107/jocr.2250-0685.1222

Dr. Grant Cooper is a physiatrist with several years of clinical experience, specializing in the non-surgical treatment of spine, joint, and muscle pain. He is the Co-Founder and Co-Director of Princeton Spine and Joint Center and the Co-Director of the Interventional Spine Program.

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