Foot drop refers to a condition when a person is unable to lift the front part of their foot to the proper angle when walking. A wide range of diseases can cause foot drop, including multiple sclerosis (MS).
Foot drop is not a disease itself, but rather the effect of an underlying problem. This problem may be anatomical, muscular, or neurological in origin.
Foot drop results from weakness of the peroneal muscles (which are responsible for movement) or dysfunction of the peroneal nerve (which stimulates the muscles). If an individual has foot drop, their foot may appear to hang down or drag. They may also scuff their foot on the ground when they are walking, which can result in discomfort or accidents.
Fortunately, treatments are available for foot drop, including physical therapy, self-management strategies, assistive devices, and surgery.
Foot Drop in Multiple Sclerosis
Although there are no published studies to confirm its prevalence, foot drop is a commonly observed symptom in MS.
What Does Foot Drop Look Like?
Foot drop can affect one foot (unilateral) only or both feet (bilateral).
As a result of this muscle weakness or nerve injury, people with foot drop may drag their affected foot (or feet) on the ground while walking. Others may attempt to avoid dragging by bending their knees to raise the foot higher than usual, resulting in what is called a steppage gait.
Impacts of Foot Drop
For people with foot drop, walking up stairs, curbs, and on other uneven surfaces can be quite difficult. To avoid obstacles that might make walking difficult, they may alter their walking style, usually by lifting the affected leg higher as if climbing up.
Changing your way of walking is tiring, as it requires more effort and energy. This may cause you to feel wobbly. Over time, walking this way can lead to hip and lower back pain, muscle tightness, and issues with overall balance.