Stewart JD. Foot drop: where, why and what to do?. Pract Neurol. 2008 Jun. 8 (3):158-69. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Krishna A, Arora S, Goyal R, Kumar M, Naik N, Kumar M. Preventable iatrogenic cause of foot-drop in knee injuries with literature review. Chin J Traumatol. 2021 Jul 14. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Cohen DE, Van Duker B, Siegel S, Keon TP. Common peroneal nerve palsy associated with epidural analgesia. Anesth Analg. 1993 Feb. 76 (2):429-31. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Pritchett JW. Lumbar decompression to treat foot drop after hip arthroplasty. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1994 Jun. (303):173-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Weber ER, Daube JR, Coventry MB. Peripheral neuropathies associated with total hip arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1976 Jan. 58 (1):66-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Asp JP, Rand JA. Peroneal nerve palsy after total knee arthroplasty. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1990 Dec. (261):233-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Matsui H, Kanamori M, Kawaguchi Y, Kitagawa H, Nakamura H, Tsuji H. Clinical and electrophysiologic characteristics of compressed lumbar nerve roots. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1997 Sep 15. 22 (18):2100-5. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Berger A, Mangel L, Basal S, Lidar Z, Regev GJ, Khashan M, et al. Predictors of functional recovery following surgery for foot drop due to degenerative lumbar disease. J Neurosurg Spine. 2021 Oct 8. 1-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Blandy JP, Fuller R. March gangrene; ischaemic myositis of the leg muscle from exercise. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1957 Nov. 39-B (4):679-93. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Weyns FJ, Beckers F, Vanormelingen L, Vandersteen M, Niville E. Foot drop as a complication of weight loss after bariatric surgery: is it preventable?. Obes Surg. 2007 Sep. 17 (9):1209-12. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Koffman BM, Greenfield LJ, Ali II, Pirzada NA. Neurologic complications after surgery for obesity. Muscle Nerve. 2006 Feb. 33 (2):166-76. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Kuntz C 4th, Blake L, Britz G, Filler A, Hayes CE, Goodkin R, et al. Magnetic resonance neurography of peripheral nerve lesions in the lower extremity. Neurosurgery. 1996 Oct. 39 (4):750-6; discussion 756-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Elfar JC, Jacobson JA, Puzas JE, Rosier RN, Zuscik MJ. Erythropoietin accelerates functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2008 Aug. 90 (8):1644-53. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Menotti F, Laudani L, Damiani A, Orlando P, Macaluso A. Comparison of walking energy cost between an anterior and a posterior ankle-foot orthosis in people with foot drop. J Rehabil Med. 2014 Sep. 46 (8):768-72. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Ring H, Treger I, Gruendlinger L, Hausdorff JM. Neuroprosthesis for footdrop compared with an ankle-foot orthosis: effects on postural control during walking. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2009 Jan. 18 (1):41-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Chae J, Sheffler L, Knutson J. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation for motor restoration in hemiplegia. Top Stroke Rehabil. 2008 Sep-Oct. 15 (5):412-26. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Kluding PM, Dunning K, O'Dell MW, Wu SS, Ginosian J, Feld J, et al. Foot drop stimulation versus ankle foot orthosis after stroke: 30-week outcomes. Stroke. 2013 Jun. 44 (6):1660-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
van Swigchem R, van Duijnhoven HJ, den Boer J, Geurts AC, Weerdesteyn V. Effect of peroneal electrical stimulation versus an ankle-foot orthosis on obstacle avoidance ability in people with stroke-related foot drop. Phys Ther. 2012 Mar. 92 (3):398-406. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Chou CH, Hwang YS, Chen CC, Chen SC, Lai CH, Chen YL. FES for abnormal movement of upper limb during walking in post-stroke subjects. Technol Health Care. 2014. 22 (5):751-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Bethoux F, Rogers HL, Nolan KJ, Abrams GM, Annaswamy T, Brandstater M, et al. Long-Term Follow-up to a Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Peroneal Nerve Functional Electrical Stimulation to an Ankle Foot Orthosis for Patients With Chronic Stroke. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2015 Nov-Dec. 29 (10):911-22. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Miller L, Rafferty D, Paul L, Mattison P. A comparison of the orthotic effect of the Odstock Dropped Foot Stimulator and the Walkaide functional electrical stimulation systems on energy cost and speed of walking in Multiple Sclerosis. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2015 Nov. 10 (6):482-485. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Burns F, Calder A, Devan H. Experiences of individuals with multiple sclerosis and stroke using transcutaneous foot drop electrical stimulators: a systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies. Disabil Rehabil. 2022 May 24. 1-10. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Aono H, Iwasaki M, Ohwada T, Okuda S, Hosono N, Fuji T, et al. Surgical outcome of drop foot caused by degenerative lumbar diseases. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2007 Apr 15. 32 (8):E262-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Pritchett JW. Nerve injury and limb lengthening after hip replacement: treatment by shortening. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2004 Jan. (418):168-71. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Kim DH, Kline DG. Management and results of peroneal nerve lesions. Neurosurgery. 1996 Aug. 39 (2):312-9; discussion 319-20. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Nath RK, Lyons AB, Paizi M. Successful management of foot drop by nerve transfers to the deep peroneal nerve. J Reconstr Microsurg. 2008 Aug. 24 (6):419-27. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Stevoska S, Pisecky L, Stadler C, Gahleitner M, Klasan A, Klotz MC. Tendon transfer in foot drop: a systematic review. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2021 Sep 15. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Soares D. Tibialis posterior transfer for the correction of foot drop in leprosy. Long-term outcome. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1996 Jan. 78 (1):61-2. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Shah RK. Tibialis posterior transfer by interosseous route for the correction of foot drop in leprosy. Int Orthop. 2009 Dec. 33 (6):1637-40. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Rodriguez RP. The Bridle procedure in the treatment of paralysis of the foot. Foot Ankle. 1992 Feb. 13 (2):63-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Johnson JE, Paxton ES, Lippe J, Bohnert KL, Sinacore DR, Hastings MK, et al. Outcomes of the Bridle Procedure for the Treatment of Foot Drop. Foot Ankle Int. 2015 Nov. 36 (11):1287-96. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Werner BC, Norte GE, Hadeed MM, Park JS, Miller MD, Hart JM. Peroneal Nerve Dysfunction due to Multiligament Knee Injury: Patient Characteristics and Comparative Outcomes After Posterior Tibial Tendon Transfer. Clin J Sport Med. 2017 Jan. 27 (1):10-19. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Movahedi Yeganeh M. Triple Tendon Transfer for Correction of Foot Deformity in Common Peroneal Nerve Palsy. Foot Ankle Int. 2016 Jun. 37 (6):665-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Cho BK, Park KJ, Choi SM, Im SH, SooHoo NF. Functional Outcomes Following Anterior Transfer of the Tibialis Posterior Tendon for Foot Drop Secondary to Peroneal Nerve Palsy. Foot Ankle Int. 2017 Jun. 38 (6):627-633. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

Media Gallery

Diagram of ground reaction vector during heel strike.
Common and superficial peroneal nerves, branches, and cutaneous innervation.
Deep peroneal nerve, branches, and cutaneous innervation.
Incisions for Bridle procedure.
Posterior leg with retrieved posterior tibial tendon above ankle. Window in interosseous membrane is labeled with X.
Posterior tibial tendon (C) is pulled through slit in anterior tibial tendon (A) and inserted into second cuneiform. Posterior tibial tendon is anastomosed to anterior tibial tendon and distal stump of peroneus longus (B) that has been rerouted anterior to lateral malleolus.
Gait of patient with foot drop.

of 7

Author

James W Pritchett, MD Chief of Orthopedic Surgery, Swedish Orthopedic Institute; Active Staff, Swedish Medical Center

James W Pritchett, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, Washington State Medical Association, Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Margaret A Porembski, MD Attending Physician, Oklahoma Hand Fellowship

Margaret A Porembski, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society for Surgery of the Hand

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Vinod K Panchbhavi, MD, FACS, FAOA, FABOS, FAAOS Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Chief, Division of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Director, Foot and Ankle Fellowship Program, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine

Vinod K Panchbhavi, MD, FACS, FAOA, FABOS, FAAOS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, Orthopaedic Trauma Association, Texas Orthopaedic Association

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: Styker.

Acknowledgements

John S Early, MD Foot/Ankle Specialist, Texas Orthopaedic Associates, LLP; Co-Director, North Texas Foot and Ankle Fellowship, Baylor University Medical Center

John S Early, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, Orthopaedic Trauma Association, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: AO North America Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Stryker Consulting fee Consulting; Biomet Consulting fee Consulting; AO North America Grant/research funds fellowship funding; MMI inc Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Osteomed Consulting fee Consulting; MedHab Inc Management position

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Foot Drop Questions & Answers

References

Tables

Contributor Information and Disclosures

What would you like to print?