How To Deal With The Gait Abnormality 'Foot Drop'

 

When you see that somebody is walking a little uneasily, the chances are they have foot drop. This is a problem whereby the person cannot lift their foot up properly between steps and they end up dragging the foot and scuffing the ground. Foot drop occurs as a result of brain or spinal cord damage or disease and it is also common in people who suffer strokes, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and motor neuron disease. Sometimes it is possible to recover from foot drop, but sometimes it will turn into a long term condition that needs to be managed. Whatever the cause, foot drop is a very frustrating ailment for sufferers and it can lead to many other problems with the leg and the foot. Sometimes it is caused by something such as pregnancy which puts added pressure on the spine.

 

How to Recover From it

 

If the foot drop has been caused by an injury then it is sometimes possible to recover from it. You’ll need a course of physiotherapy in order to make the leg and foot stronger and you may need to wear a lightweight brace or a shoe insert. It’s important to wear shoes that are practical, sensible and comfortable – and above all, flat. Some patients benefit from using an electrical stimulation device which attaches to the foot and helps to lift it during walking. You will need to speak to your doctor to ascertain whether this device could work for you. The best way to recover from foot drop is to take plenty of rest and also make sure the foot is being used regularly too. Some people find that gentle exercise such as Yoga or Pilates can also help.

 

Can I Have Surgery?

 

If you have permanent foot drop then you may be an eligible candidate for surgery, which usually means a tendon being transferred from a stronger part of the leg to help strengthen the weaker leg. Sometimes, the ankle bones are fused together to hold the ankle in place a little better. This sort of surgery is not for everyone though – your doctor will be able to tell you whether or not it will be effective in your case. If you are going to go through with the surgery you will be put under general anesthetic while the operation is carried out, so you will need to allow for the fact that there will be some recovery time.

 

Alternative Remedies

 

Many patients find that they can achieve some relief by using alternative remedies. Herbal medicine is often used, as is acupuncture and homeopathy. While these probably won’t cure the problem, they will certainly be able to reduce the amount of symptoms and provide some welcome relief.

Foot drop is a horrible thing to have to deal with, but with the help of your doctor you should be able to limit the amount of inconvenience it brings to you. Make sure you book an appointment if you suspect anything could be wrong with your gait as an early diagnosis may well help you.

The author of this post, Nancy Baker, is a freelance blogger who is currently writing forXFT, specialists in foot drop rehabilitation. She enjoys reading novels and blogging about health tips. You can also follow her on Twitter @Nancy Baker.

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