FOOT DROP

Foot drop results from damage to the common peroneal nerve trunk and the consequent paralysis of the anterior and lateral group of leg muscles which dorsiflex and evert the foot respectively.

The patient is unable to lift the foot and the toes up voluntarily and the foot drops when the leg is lifted. In order to avoid the foot dragging on the ground during walking, the patient has to lift the leg higher than normal during the swing phase as if climbing steps. This gives rise to the characteristic 'stepping gait'.

Causes of foot drop
At the spine

• Spina bifida
• Tumors
• Disc prolapse, etc

At the hip

• Posterior dislocation of the hip
• Fracture around the hip

At the thigh

• Fracture of shaft femur
• Penetrating injury and gun shot injury

At the knee

• Tight plaster casts around the knee
• Poor padding during traction
• Direct injuries to tibialis anterior
• Compression or fracture neck of fibula.

Drop-foot is corrected surgically by anterior transposition of the tibialis posterior tendon. When for some reason surgical correction cannot be done expeditiously, a drop-foot brace or a toe raising device has to bw worn by the patient.