Drop foot

Posted by yojimbob @yojimbob, Sep 24, 2022

Does anyone know anything about this . Can this be mitigated ?
I think I am starting to occasionally feel my toes dragging when I walk . I had never really heard of it until I had done some reading on this sight . This is frightening.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

raebaby | @raebaby | Oct 3, 2023

In reply to @gba "Does anyone have slap step. Drop foot? Toes drag causing falls." + (show)

I have numb feet from the neuropathy due to chemo and claw toes. I carry a cane if I have to work on lumpy ground. I'm 82 , can't drive, live alone on 22 acres and my kids help me out often. Life is fine. I'm actually flying off to visit my old 8th grade boyfriend tomorrow.

Berk | @gba | Oct 5, 2023

In reply to @scottrl "Ever since my stroke in 2018, I've had drop foot on my affected (right) side. Some..." + (show)

Me too. MD gave me a brace. It keeps toe up when walking. It inserts in shoe under foot. Also called Slap step. With it I no longer trip or fall. Good luck, it works!

Amanda Roe | @amandajro | Oct 6, 2023

In reply to @gba "Does anyone have slap step. Drop foot? Toes drag causing falls." + (show)

Hello @
gba. You will notice I have moved your post into an existing discussion on drop foot, which you can find here:

- Drop Foot: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/drop-foot/

If interested, you go back to read past comments or simply reply to members who have already joined you such as @scottrl @1myhope and @taftst1. How long have you been experiencing drop foot?

Amanda Roe | @amandajro | Oct 6, 2023

In reply to @barbaradavis04 "Dealing with the pain of permanent foot drop. Anyone else? I will be 67 this year..." + (show)

Hello @barbaradavis04 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.

You will notice that I have moved your post into an existing discussion on drop foot, which you can find here:
- Drop Foot: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/drop-foot/

Members such as @gba @raebaby @scottrl @1myhope and @taftst1 have recently been sharing stories as well.

In addition to the orthotics, have you considered PT for your post-knee surgery muscle loss?

cmb1 | @cmb1 | Oct 6, 2023

In reply to @raebaby "I have numb feet from the neuropathy due to chemo and claw toes. I carry a..." + (show)

You are my hero! Hope you have a wonderful time!

Berk | @gba | Oct 6, 2023

In reply to @amandajro "Hello @ gba. You will notice I have moved your post into an existing discussion on..." + (show)

Probably about 10 years. Was tripping and falling a lot, especially when playing golf. Never knew why until getting a brace on other knee. Therapist asked, if I fell a lot? Said I had slap step. Probably from nerve damage. I don't fall now. good Luck to all!.

arctic22 | @arctic22 | Oct 8, 2023

I have slight foot drop from a stroke when I get tired out .. they make braces that help the drop foot if mine gets much worse I'm going to try one out better than falling that's for sure ..

janiern2 | @janiern2 | Jan 25 12:47pm

In reply to @johnbishop "My favorite YouTube PT Guys have a video on foot drop exercises. https://youtu.be/Af1VKTMPHfQ" + (show)

Great exercises! Thanks for sharing. Will be helpful to my husband.

janiern2 | @janiern2 | Jan 25 1:09pm

My husband starting having symptoms about six years ago and has slowly progressed. He has been under the care of 2 neurologists so far. He had EMB/NCS in April 2022 with these findings: moderate to severe axonal peripheral process involving right upper and lower extremities with clinical involvement on the left. There were sensory and motor findings. Inherited etiology favored. AFOs were never discussed until a retired physiatrist from our church noticed his gait and told him he really thought that AFOs would be helpful. He then got appointment with a physiatrist and was ordered AFOs and they made a HUGE difference in his gait. He does have some balance issues and will use a hiking cane occasionally, but is able to live an active life. He has had to give up certain sports such as waterskiing and snowskiing due to the foot drop. I recently bought Saucony athletic shoes (Kinvara Pro)that have a rocker type sole - my husband finally went and got a pair and these shoes have also been helpful in moving his foot foward as well. His AFOs were fitted, ordered by orthotics clinic. The only issues is he had to buy all new shoes that were about 1/2 size large to accommodate the insert of the orthotics. I am currently looking into an external AFO made by company Turbo Med Orthotics that was discussed on here. Currently we are trying to get him approved for out of network exception to seek care at Mayo Clinic.

janiern2 | @janiern2 | Jan 25 1:25pm

In reply to @centre "I have drop foot, not enough to require bracing, but enough that when walking I remind..." + (show)

@centre

I have drop foot, not enough to require bracing, but enough that when walking I remind myself to do the PT recommended “exaggerated heel strike”- on the step-through, you consciously flex your ankle and land heel first (its automatic now- 4 years in with PN). When outside walking, the PT also recommended and I wear Core Products International Ankle Foot Orthosis (bought on Amazon). It has a soft lower leg wrap and elastic bands which hook onto end hooks you put in the last holes of your tie sneakers- pops the toes up a bit as you walk- very comfortable and works great. I also do a daily home exercise program for strengthening that my PT gave me years ago- most are in the video John Bishop posted.
My understanding of what’s going on is that the nerves which innervate the muscles of the calf, ankle, and foot have been and are continuing to be de-nervated- meaning fewer nerve signals getting to fewer muscle fibers to tell them what to do, which causes the muscle fibers to atrophy, which causes weakness as fewer muscle fibers are “pulling together” to make the movement.
I have the mild hammer toes too- the toe extensor muscles are getting fewer signals coming down the nerves and are being overwhelmed by the flexor muscles, which are receiving full strength nerve signals. This is why some of us have “dents” in our lower leg muscles- my soleus muscle (helps with ankle function and balance) has a big dent- some nerve signals are getting through to some muscle fibers, but not a lot and my balance is off.
I used to call my PN leg my “polio leg” because it was like a stick. But with the daily exercise program and 30 min walking (treadmill in winter, outside good weather), it is still smaller around than the other leg, but the muscles have definitely “fleshed out”.
Have you heard that story about the couple who thought they were going on their dream overseas trip, but ended up in a completely different country?They were very upset at first, but as the days went by, they realized they were meeting really nice people they never would have met if the original trip had happened. I think about that sometimes, I wouldn’t wish PN on anybody, but what nice people I’ve met along the way- especially this group, our mentors, and new friends. Love and peace to all (healing would be nice too😊).

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Thank you for your post! Some helpful information to share with my husband. My husband has got AFOs that insert into shoes to bottom of foot (carbon ? - made by Ottobock - "walk-on lateral" ) and might look into the ones you use as an alternative sometimes as he does have some pain to bottom of foot when wearing these too long. Thanks again and wishing you well in health and wellness!