Foot Drop

If you have been feeling a weakness in your lower leg or a difficulty lifting the front part of your foot off the ground, you may be dealing with foot drop. This condition is also known as drop foot and is not something you should ignore.

It is not a disease but it does signify a major muscular or neurological problem. You have muscles in your leg called “dorsiflexors” and foot drop develops when these muscles become weak or paralyzed. Dr. Jeff Bowman, foot specialist in Houston, TX explains several things that can cause foot drop to happen:

• An injury to a nerve that controls the muscles you use to lift your foot. This is the most common reason and can happen if you injure a nerve in your knee, lower spine or hip as well. If you have nerve damage due to diabetes, foot drop can occur as well.

• A deficiency in vitamin B-12, also called cobalamin can affect nerve health and function and result in foot drop.  

• Disorders such as muscular dystrophy, polio, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and Multiple Sclerosis can increase your risk of developing foot drop.

There are several treatment options that our podiatric office can provide to improve a condition of foot drop. Depending on the underlying cause, Dr. Bowman might suggest braces, physical therapy, nerve stimulation and possible surgery to alleviate or even remove symptoms all together. If you feel like your condition may be a case of foot drop, contact our office for effective treatment. Make an appointment by calling (713) 467-8886 or from our homepage at www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

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