The Injury Hub

Foot Drop: Info, Symptoms & Treatment.

Our Chartered Physiotherapists across Ireland are experts in the causes, symptoms and treatment of foot drop.

The Injury Hub: Foot Drop

What is foot drop?

Foot Drop is a medical term for difficulty lifting the foot at the ankle. This is a condition caused by weakness or paralysis of the muscles involved in flexing the ankle and toes, which causes a person to drag the toe of the shoe on the ground or slap the foot on the floor while walking.

Foot Drop is a neuromuscular disorder and can be a symptom of nerve compression or a low back injury such as disc herniation or as a result of Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson’s Disease.

Woman with foot pain

How We Can Help.

Symptoms, Treatment & How We Can Help Your Recovery.

Learn about common foot drop symptoms, effective treatments, and how our expert team supports your recovery journey every step of the way.

Foot Drop makes it difficult to lift the front part of your foot, so if you walk normally the foot might drag on the floor. Often patients compensate for this by raising their thigh when walking to help their foot clear the floor. This odd walking gait often causes those patients to slap the involved foot onto the floor when stepping.

Foot Drop typically affects only one foot. Depending on the underlying cause, however, it’s possible for both feet to be affected. In some cases, patients with Foot Drop experience a numb sensation of the skin on the top of their foot and toes.

Foot Drop isn’t a disease but rather a sign of an underlying neurological, anatomical or muscular problem. In many cases Foot Drop is temporary, although for some it is permanent.

 

Our Chartered Physiotherapists can help you with both temporary and permanent foot drop. The treatment used will depend on the underlying cause. If the cause can be diagnosed and is successfully treated, Foot Drop may improve or even disappear.

If the underlying cause can’t be treated, Foot Drop may be permanent and we will guide you through your options.

Our Physiotherapists will guide you through exercises that will strengthen your leg muscles. These exercises will also help you maintain range of motion in your knee and ankle, which often improves gait problems associated with foot drop.

For temporary foot drop an ankle/foot brace or AFO splint that fits into your shoe, may be prescribed. This can help hold your foot in a normal position.

All of our Chartered Physiotherapists are experts in the treatment of Drop Foot. We are also the only Medical company in Ireland to provide assessment and fitting for the revolutionary WalkAide system which was designed to restore mobility to those individuals seeking a return to independence.

For more information about our WalkAide treatment for drop foot, see our blog.

Foot Drop can affect a person’s mobility, independence and quality of life. Our highly skilled Physiotherapists are trained in the assessment and treatment of this condition. They can help you to get back on your feet! 

Our patient’s health journeys

CMM Coate
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Very good attention from Igor. He was professional and friendly and took the time to answer questions. I would certainly revisit Thank you.
Alice O
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The best deep tissue massage by Marcelo! Would definitely go again.
Linda C
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A very plesant and efficient physiotherapy service.
Kevin M
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Had a very positive experience. Had severe back pain and Dylan was able to see me at short notice. He was very thorough and clear in assessing and explaining my condition and structuring a recovery exercise program that worked very succesfully. I am now fully recovered and looking forward to being as active as I was before my injury.
Sonia F
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Really happy with the two appointments I had with Dylan Connelly to treat my calf strain. His approach was both professional and personable and he ensured that I was completely comfortable during all phases of the appointments. He explained and demonstrated the exercises in 'lay' terms and ensured that I understood and was happy with the approach and expected outcomes. I would definitely recommend Dylan for any physio needs.
Amy B
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I met with Lisa on three occasions in relation to my hamstring and she was absolutely amazing! So easy to chat to and super informative. You need to book at least a week or two in advance to get a spot with her and it's no surprise. She's absolutely fantastic! He explained and demonstrated the exercises in 'lay' terms and ensured that I understood and was happy with the approach and expected outcomes. I would definitely recommend Dylan for any physio needs.
Lisa O
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I went to Olga for 4 or 5 weeks before the marathon this year for hip pain. I was contemplating not running as my long run training had become so painful on the hip. Olga treated with dry needling and massage and over 2 sessions, I saw a big difference. I continued a weekly session to keep me loose and followed her exercise plan. I completed the marathon with no hip issues and felt like my recovery after was a lot faster than previous years.
Margaret C
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Myself and my mother attended Craig for 3 sessions - he is expert at what he does, so understanding, gentle and kind. Great personality and a really skilled physio. Would recommend him absolutly without reservation.He explained and demonstrated the exercises in 'lay' terms and ensured that I understood and was happy with the approach and expected outcomes. I would definitely recommend Dylan for any physio needs.
Patrick M
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I had a painful trapped nerve in my neck which caused pain together with pins and needles running into my arm and hand. I attended Mohammed twice over a period of two weeks. It completely resolved after second appointment. Mohammed is an expert professional at what he does. I would highly recommend his services. I would definitely recommend Dylan for any physio needs.
Lauren T
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I can only recommend Dr. Muhammed Sohail. I’ve been to many physio consultants and he’s been the very best so far: dry needling has improved my IT band issues so much over two sessions including my knee pain. I would definitely recommend Dylan for any physio needs.
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