Oct 2nd
Drop foot, or foot drop, is a condition that many individuals have due to various underlying causes. Many hardly seek medical help until the condition has become too bad or if they have had drop foot their whole lives. You might be wondering what drop foot is exactly and the different ways in which to treat it. This blog is going to explore what this condition is, what the symptoms are, and if and how you can treat it. As we will say throughout this blog, it is vital you seek medical care if you believe you have drop foot as it is a symptom of a much larger underlying cause.
What Is Drop Foot?
Drop foot is a condition where you cannot lift the front part of your foot, dragging it along the floor as you walk. Some people have very severe cases of thisand are already undergoing treatment, whereas others only suffer from this mildly. Those who have mild cases of it attempt to over compensate their dragging foot by lifting their knees higher, allowing their foot to come off of the ground. This can, in fact, cause worse damage to your body and make your condition worse.
However, drop foot in itself is not a disease,but is a condition and symptom of much larger problems. These problems can be nerve damage (which is the most common reason for drop foot), neurological issues such as multiple sclerosis and various muscles diseases. This is why it is vital to not overcompensate, and to seek medical help immediately so that you can get proper care quickly.
What Are The Symptoms?
The symptoms of drop foot are simple, but you can have additional symptoms depending on what is causing your foot problem. The obvious symptom is one we have already discussed; you cannot lift the front portion of your foot, which causes you to drag it as you walk. You might find yourself lifting your thigh as if you were attempting to climb stairs when just simply walking. You might also feel numbness or tingling in your toes. Seek medical care if you start experiencing this condition, especially if you have the symptoms of a stroke and other serious conditions that attack muscles or nerves.
Can You Treat Drop Foot?
Yes, it is highly possible to treat this condition. In fact, it can be a temporary problem for many and can be easily fixed when you seek medical help. The treatment methods vary depending on how severe your case of drop foot is and what the underlying disease is that is causing it. A few treatment methods are:
Will Orthotics Help?
Orthotics will help with foot drop and the underlying conditions. You can get custom shoes that will allow for splints to be placed comfortably inside, helping your foot to lift when you walk. As mentioned above in the treatment options, you can get braces or splints, which are available at The Orthotic Shop. If you go to a podiatrist about your drop foot condition, you can have them request custom orthotics that will work perfectly for you.
In Closing
If you believe you have drop foot, then it is vital you seek medical help immediately to help begin the treatment process for both the foot and the underlying cause. Once you receive a diagnosis of this condition, The Orthotic Shop is a great place to shop for orthotics, braces, and splints. Take a look around our shop to find something that is perfect for you. Contact us today if you have any questions.
Jun 19th
Looking for a brace for foot drop has never been easier. Before it would take a trip to a specialist, but now you can order in the comfort of your home and have it mailed to you. By taking a few simple measurements you can find the correct size to order.
First, some background.
What is drop foot?
Foot drop is characterized by steppage gait. When the person with foot drop walks, the foot slaps down onto the floor. To accommodate the toe drop, the patient may use a characteristic tip-toe walk on the opposite leg, raising the thigh excessively, as if walking upstairs, while letting the toe drop. This serves to raise the foot high enough to prevent the toe from dragging, and prevents the slapping. Other gaits such as a wide outward leg swing (to avoid lifting the thigh excessively or to turn corners in the opposite direction of the affected limb) may also indicate foot drop. People with painful disorders of sensation (dysesthesia) of the soles of the feet may have a similar gait, but do not have foot drop. Because of the extreme pain evoked by even the slightest pressure on the feet, the patient walks as if walking barefoot on hot sand.
Causes of Foot Drop
Foot drop is caused by weakness that occurs in specific muscles of the ankle and the foot. The affected muscles participate in the downward and upward movement of the ankle and the foot. See picture below.
Foot drop can be associated with a variety of conditions such as dorsiflexor injuries, peripheral nerve injuries, stroke, neuropathies, drug toxicities, or diabetes
Foot Drop Position Comparison
Treatment
Foot drop that can’t be treated by surgery is often treated using a special AFO orthotic brace, like the ones below, that provides normal range of motion to the foot and ankle during walking. Other people with foot drop can benefit from the stimulation of the affected nerves. The stimulation is applied as the foot is raised during a stride and is stopped when the foot touches down on the ground.
When the cause of foot drop is a muscular or nerve difficulty, surgery can be beneficial. Surgery can relieve the pressure on a compacted nerve, repair a muscle, and even restore a normal gait by lengthening the Achilles tendon or replacing a defective tendon.
Recovery and rehabilitation
Depending on the nature of the cause of foot drop, recovery can be partial or complete. Physical therapy and an ankle foot orthotic device worn in the shoe are important aspects of rehabilitation.
AFO Braces
There are several different styles of AFO braces depending upon the level of support needed. Traditional models are made of a sturdy material and provide a plate that slides into the shoes to help keep the foot level. These tend to provide the most support can be hard to conceal or get used to.
AFO Light
New and innovative models reduce the bulk of the traditional braces and still provide an excellent level of support. The Foot-Up attaches above the ankle and helps hold the foot up by supporting an inlay that goes under the shoe’s laces. A shoesless version of the FootUp model is also available.
Another Drop Foot support is the Soft Drop Foot Brace. This one is made from Neoprene and can be easily hidden and also be used without shoes.
The above are all over the counter solutions that can be purchased from the comfort of your home. With a few easy measurements, one can easily purchase an AFO brace to help alleviate their drop foot condition.
The Orthotic Shop (www.OrthoticShop.com) is a great place to purchase Drop Foot Braces. They offer fast shipping, great customer support and easy returns / exchanges.
