Foot Drop Questions & Answers

Updated: May 26, 2022
  • Author: James W Pritchett, MD; Chief Editor: Vinod K Panchbhavi, MD, FACS, FAOA, FABOS, FAAOS  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is foot drop?

What is the anatomy of the lower leg affected by foot drop?

What is the pathophysiology of nerve damage that leads to foot drop?

What are the causes of foot drop?

What is the most common type of compressive neuropathy that results in foot drop?

Which type of foot drop a complication of orthopedic surgery?

What is the role of spinal stenosis in the etiology of foot drop?

What is the prognosis of foot drop?

Presentation

How is foot drop managed when the cause is dorsiflexor injury?

What are the signs and symptoms of foot drop caused by compartment syndrome?

What are the signs and symptoms of foot drop caused by anterior compartment syndrome?

What are the signs and symptoms of foot drop caused by deep posterior compartment syndrome?

What are the signs and symptoms of foot drop caused by chronic compartment syndrome?

How is equinovarus deformity differentiated from peripheral neuropathy as the etiology of foot drop?

What are the signs and symptoms of foot drop caused by L5 compression?

What are the signs and symptoms of foot drop caused by peroneal neuropathy?

What is the role of bariatric surgery in the development of foot drop?

How does foot drop develop in patients with diabetes?

Workup

What is the role of lab testing in the workup of foot drop?

What is the role of imaging studies in the diagnosis of foot drop?

What is the role of MRN in the diagnosis of foot drop?

What is the role of electromyography in the diagnosis of foot drop?

Treatment

What are the treatment options for foot drop?

What drugs are used for the treatment of foot drop?

When is an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) indicated in the treatment of foot drop?

What is the most common ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) used in the treatment of foot drop?

How does a posterior ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) function for the treatment of foot drop?

What are the benefits of anterior ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) compared to posterior ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) for foot drop?

When is nerve stimulation indicated for the treatment of foot drop?

Where is the nerve stimulator implanted to treat foot drop?

What are the benefits of a foot-drop simulator (FDS) for treatment of foot drop after a stroke?

What are the benefits of peroneal functional electrical stimulation (FES) for the treatment of foot drop?

When is a discectomy indicated for treatment of foot drop?

When is early decompression indicated for treatment of foot drop?

How is foot drop treated after hip surgery?

What are the surgical options for treatment of foot drop caused by peroneal nerve palsy?

What is the preferred treatment for patients who have foot drop due to neurologic and anatomic factors?

When should nerve repair be initiated for the treatment of foot drop?

What is the initial treatment for foot drop caused by peroneal nerve palsy?

What is the recommended approach for nerve decompression for the treatment of foot drop?

How is a tendon transfer performed in the treatment of foot drop?

What is a common method for tendon transfer in the treatment of foot drop?

What are the routes which the posterior tibial tendon (PTT) can be transferred in the treatment of foot drop?

What are the points of attachment in tendon transfer for the treatment of foot drop?

What is the point of connection in tendon-to-bone fixation during tendon transfer for foot drop?

How is the Bridle procedure performed in the treatment of foot drop?

How effective PTT transfer for the treatment of foot drop?

What are the types of tendon transfers used in the treatment of foot drop?

How much is dorsiflexion restored after PTT transfer to treat foot drop?

What monitoring is necessary following surgery for foot drop?

Medications

What is the goal of drug treatment for foot drop?

Which medications in the drug class Hematopoietic Growth Factors are used in the treatment of Foot Drop?

Which medications in the drug class Anticonvulsants, Other are used in the treatment of Foot Drop?

Which medications in the drug class Antidepressants, SNRIs are used in the treatment of Foot Drop?

Which medications in the drug class Antidepressants, TCAs are used in the treatment of Foot Drop?