Foot Drop

Foot Drop is a disorder that affects a person’s ability to raise his or her foot at the ankle. Generally speaking, the person is also unable to point the toes toward the body or move the foot at the ankle inward or outward. Foot Drop makes walking a challenge, causing the person to either drag the foot and toes while walking or exhibit a high-stepping walk called steppage gait.

Foot Drop is not a disease but a symptom of an underlying problem. Often Foot Drop is caused by injury to the peroneal nerve, which runs along the outside of the lower leg below the knee. Foot Drop is found in some patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injuries, stroke and many other medical conditions.

Treatment options for Foot Drop depend on the underlying cause of the condition. Traditionally, many patients have been fitted with an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO), brace, or splint that fits into the shoe to stabilize the ankle/foot. Surgery may also be an option to correct or alleviate the underlying problem causing Foot Drop.

One of the more recently available treatment options is WalkAide. Unlike an AFO, which is generally designed to support the foot in a 90-degree angle, WalkAide uses sophisticated sensor technology to actually analyze the movement of the leg and foot. WalkAide then sends electrical signals to the peroneal nerve, which runs along the outside of the lower leg and controls movement in the ankle and foot. These light electrical impulses activate the muscles to raise the foot at the appropriate time during walking, producing a much more natural and efficient pattern of walking.