Monday, 17 March 2014

Foot drop, causes and therapy treatments

It is the inability to lift the front portion of the foot. This causes the toes to drag along the ground while walking. In order to avoid dragging their toes, people with foot drop are likely to lift their knees higher. They may also swing their leg in a wide arc. Foot drop can happen to either one foot or both at a time. It can happen at any age.

Usually, foot drop occurs due to the weakness or paralysis of the muscles that lift the foot. It can have many different causes. Treatments for foot drop vary according to the cause.

Foot drop is more of a symptom rather than a disease. It might be due to an underlying problem like nerve injury, brain or spinal disorders, muscle disorders, etc. Nerve injury can be caused due to several reasons like sports injury, diabetes, childbirth, sudden & large weight loss, stroke, etc. 

Treatment
Treatment for foot drop depends on its cause. Early treatment improves the chance of recovery.
Treatments may include:
  •         Lightweight braces
  •          Shoe inserts
  •          Physical therapy
  •          Surgery

Lightweight braces are the most common treatment. They're used to support the leg. Physical therapy is used to strengthen foot and leg muscles. It may improve a person's ability to walk. In some cases, electronic devices that stimulate the leg nerves during walking may be appropriate. Surgery may be recommended to try to repair or decompress a damaged nerve.

At Optimum Rehab, our physical therapy experts deal with this condition with extreme care and experience. Visit http://www.optimumrehabnyc.com/ to get to know more about our services & make an appointment.


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