Foot Drop & the Peroneal Nerve Symptoms

The peroneal nerve, which runs along the outside part of the lower knee, has an important job when it comes to a person's mobility. This nerve transmits impulses to and from three areas: the leg, the foot and the toes. If this nerve becomes damaged, the muscles in the lower leg and foot become weak. This causes a person to be unable to raise the foot upwards, a condition commonly known as foot drop.

Definition

• Foot drop is not a disease, and depending on the cause, it may be either temporary or permanent. Foot drop is the symptom of an underlying problem, which is usually a neuromuscular disorder. According to spineuniverse.com, foot drop is most often caused by injury to the peroneal nerve. There are many different types of injuries that can occur to the peroneal nerve--the most common are: a disc herniation that causes nerve compression, a stroke, a tumor near the nerve or any type of crushing injury.

Symptoms

• The most common symptom of foot drop is the inability to raise the foot at the ankle. More specifically, a person with foot drop may be unable to point her toes toward her body, or in some more severe cases, she may not be able to move her foot at the ankle inward or outward. When this loss of function occurs, many times pain, weakness and numbness, as well as a tingling or prickling sensation, are noticed.

  Since there is nerve damage, when a person with foot drop tries to walk, she may drag the affected foot or toes.

Causes

• While damage to the peroneal nerve is the most common cause for foot drop, there are other causes as well. It can also be caused by injury to the sciatic nerve, which is the largest nerve in the body, originating in the network of nerves found in the lower back.

  Foot drop is most commonly the symptom of a nerve problem; however, muscle damage, nerve and muscle disorders, some central nervous system disorders, and even a reaction to different drugs, such as chemotherapy drugs and certain drugs used to treat multiple sclerosis, may also be the cause, as they can have a severely toxic effect on the body, according to mayoclinic.com

When To See a Dctor

• If a person finds he cannot lift his foot or if he drags his foot when walking, it is time to seek medical advice. A doctor will give a complete physical exam as well as go over medical history thoroughly; she will also want to observe foot and leg movement to better determine the diagnosis. In some cases, a person who is thought to have foot drop may be referred to a neurologist for further testing.

Treatment

• Treatment depends on how the injury was sustained as well as the severity of the injury. Some people with foot drop are fitted with a splint, an ankle foot orthotic or simply a brace that fits in the shoe and helps to stabilize the foot and ankle. Often physical therapy is also recommended.

  In some cases, surgery is an option to correct the underlying problem, such as repairing a nerve that has been damaged, if possible; or if the cause is a herniated disc, the disc may be removed.

  Drop foot is a complex problem because there are so many variables as to cause. Therefore, the best first step in handling the condition is to speak to a medical professional.