Foot drop

Foot drop
Foot drop
Classification and external resources
ICD-10 M21.3
ICD-9 736.79
eMedicine orthoped/389

Foot drop is the dropping of the forefoot due to weakness, damage to the peroneal nerve or paralysis of the muscles in the anterior portion of the lower leg. It is usually a symptom of a greater problem, not a disease in itself. It is characterized by the inability or difficulty in moving the ankle and toes upward (dorsiflexion). The severity in foot drop can range from a temporary to permanent condition, depending on the extent of muscle weakness or paralysis. It can occur unilaterally or bilaterally. In walking, while stepping forward, the knees are slightly bent so the front of the foot can be lifted higher than usual to prevent the foot from dragging along the ground. Foot drop can be caused by nerve damage alone. However, it is also caused by muscle or spinal nerve trauma, abnormal anatomy, toxins or disease. Diseases that can cause foot drop include Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease), Parkinson's disease, muscular dystrophy, Charcot Marie Tooth disease, and multiple sclerosis.

Contents

Features

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Foot drop is characterized by steppage gait. While walking, people suffering the condition drag their toes along the ground or bend their knees to lift their foot high than usual to avoid the dragging. This serves to raise the foot high enough to prevent the toe from dragging and prevents the slapping. To accommodate the toe drop, the patient may use a characteristic tiptoe walk on the opposite leg, raising the thigh excessively, as if walking upstairs, while letting the toe drop. Other gaits such as a wide outward leg swing (to avoid lifting the thigh excessively or to turn corners in the opposite direction of the affected limb) may also indicate foot drop.[1]

Patients with painful disorders of sensation (dysesthesia) of the soles of the feet may have a similar gait but do not have foot drop. Because of the extreme pain evoked by even the slightest pressure on the feet, the patient walks as if walking barefoot on hot sand.

Epidemiology

In USA, within the course of 2009, there are a total of 1,787 discharges that related to Acquired Ankle-Foot Defect. 348 of the 1,787 patient (about 19.4%) stayed in the hospital for about 2.4 days. Those 2.4 days cost them around $29,756. For patients between the ages 45-64, 626 (roughly 35.05 percent of 1,787) of those patients were discharged. Among the patients between the ages of 45-65, it cost them a total of $38,529 stay for about 2.7 days. For patients of age 65-84, 474 of the patient were discharged. That’s about roughly 26.53% of the patients that were discharged. They stayed a mean of 3.5 days for $37,049. If we were to break down the patients stay further, we can see that about 815 males and 972 females were discharged from the hospital. That is about 45.59% were male and 54.41% were females. The men stayed a mean of 2.6 days for $34,979. For females, they stayed a mean of 2.8 days for $33,765. The standard deviation for errors for the length of stay has a total of 0.1 days. For the standard deviation of errors for discharge has a total for 177 patients. Lastly, for the amount of charges, the mean of the standard error for the total number of discharged patients was roughly $1,918.[2]

Diagnosis

Initial diagnosis often is made during routine physical examination. Such diagnosis can be confirmed by a medical professional such as a physiatrist (or physical therapist), podiatrist, orthopedic spine surgeon or neurosurgeon. A person with foot drop will have difficulty walking on their heels. Therefore a simple test of asking the patient to dorsiflex may determine diagnosis of the problem. This is measured on a 0-5 scale that observes mobility. The lowest point, 0, will determine complete paralysis and the highest point, 5, will determine complete mobility.

However there are other tests that may help determine diagnosis. These tests include an MRI, MRN, or EMG to assess the surrounding areas of damaged nerves and the damaged nerves themselves, respectively. The nerve that communicates to the muscles that lift the foot is the peroneal nerve. This nerve innervates the anterior muscles of the leg that are used during dorsi flexion. The muscles that are used in plantar flexion are innervated by the tibial nerve and often develop tightness in the presence of foot drop. The muscles that keep the ankle from supination (as from an ankle sprain) are also innervated by the peroneal nerve, and it is not uncommon to find weakness in this area as well. Paraesthesia in the lower leg, particularly on the top of the foot and ankle, also can accompany foot drop, although it is not always linked.[3]

Pathophysiology

The causes of foot drop, as for all causes of neurological lesions, should be approached using a localization-focused approach before etiologies are considered. Most of the time, foot drop is the result of neurological disorder; only rarely is the muscle diseased or nonfunctional. The source for the neurological impairment can be central (spinal cord or brain) or peripheral (nerves located connecting from the spinal cord to an end-site muscle or sensory receptor). Foot drop is rarely the result of a pathology involving the muscles or bones that make up the lower leg. The muscle that is designed to pick up the foot is the anterior tibialis. It is innervated by the common peroneal nerve, which branches from the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve exits the lumbar plexus with its root arising from the fifth lumbar nerve space. Occasionally, spasticity in the muscles opposite the anterior tibialis exists in the presence of foot drop, making the pathology much more complex than foot drop. Isolated foot drop is usually a flaccid condition. There are gradations of weakness that can be seen with foot drop, as follows: 0=complete paralysis, 1=flicker of contraction, 2=contraction with gravity eliminated alone, 3=contraction against gravity alone, 4=contraction against gravity and some resistance, and 5=contraction against powerful resistance (normal power). Foot drop is different from foot slap, which is the audible slapping of the foot to the floor with each step that occurs when the foot first hits the floor on each step, although they often are concurrent.

Treated systematically, possible lesion sites causing foot drop include (going from peripheral to central):

  1. Neuromuscular disease;
  2. Peroneal nerve (common, i.e., frequent)—chemical, mechanical, disease;
  3. Sciatic nerve—direct trauma, iatrogenic;
  4. Lumbosacral plexus;
  5. L5 nerve root (common, especially in association with pain in back radiating down leg);
  6. Spinal cord (rarely causes isolated foot drop)—poliomyelitis, tumor;
  7. Brain (uncommon, but often overlooked)—stroke, TIA, tumor;
  8. Genetic (as in Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease and hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies);
  9. Nonorganic;
  10. 10 Caudia Equina Syndrome. Spinal cord damage caused by nerve impingement due to badly bulging disc.

If the L5 nerve root is involved, the most common cause is a herniated disc. Other causes of foot drop are diabetes, trauma, motor neuron disease (MND), adverse reaction to a drug or alcohol, and multiple sclerosis.

Gait Cycle

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Drop foot and foot drop are interchangeable terms that describe an abnormal neuromuscular disorder that affects the patient's ability to raise their foot at the ankle. Drop foot is further characterized by an inability to point the toes toward the body (dorsiflexion) or move the foot at the ankle inward or outward. Therefore, the normal gait cycle is affected by the drop foot syndrome.

The normal gait cycle is as follows:

  • Swing phase (SW): The period of time when the foot is not in contact with the ground. In those cases where the foot never leaves the ground (foot drag), it can be defined as the phase when all portions of the foot are in forward motion.
  • Initial contact (IC): The point in the gait cycle when the foot initially makes contact with the ground; this represents the beginning of the stance phase. It is suggested that heel strike not be a term used in clinical gait analysis as in many circumstances initial contact is not made with the heel. Suggestion: Should use foot strike.
  • Terminal contact (TC): The point in the gait cycle when the foot leaves the ground: this represents the end of the stance phase or beginning of the swing phase. Also referred to as foot off. Toe-off should not be used in situations where the toe is not the last part of the foot to leave the ground.

The drop foot gait cycle requires more exaggerated phases.

  • Drop foot SW: If the foot in motion happens to be the affected foot, there will be greater flexion at the knee to accommodate the inability to dorsiflex. This increase in knee extension will cause a stair climbing movement.
  • Drop foot IC: Initial contact of the foot that is in motion will not have normal heel-toe foot strike. Instead the foot may either slap the ground or the entire foot may be planted on the ground all at once.
  • Drop foot TC: Terminal contact that is observed in patients that have drop foot is quite different. Since patients tend to have weakness in the affected foot, they may not have the ability to support their body weight. Often times, a walker or cane will be used to assist in this aspect.

Drop Foot is the inability to dorsiflex, evert, or invert the foot. So when looking at the Gait cycle, the part of the gait cycle that involves most dorsiflexion action would be Heel Contact of the foot at 10% of Gait Cycle, and the entire swing phase, or 60-100% of the Gait Cycle. This is also known as Gait Abnormalities.

Treatment

The underlying disorder must be treated. For example, if a spinal disc herniation in the low back is impinging on the nerve that goes to the leg and causing symptoms of foot drop, then the herniated disc should be treated. If the foot drop is the result of a peripheral nerve injury, a window for recovery of 18 months to 2 years is often advised. If it is apparent that no recovery of nerve function takes place, surgical intervention to repair or graft the nerve can be considered, although results from this type of intervention are mixed.

Non-surgical treatments for spinal stenosis include a suitable exercise program developed by a physical therapist, activity modification (avoiding activities that cause advanced symptoms of spinal stenosis), epidural injections, and anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or aspirin. If necessary, a decompression surgery that is minimally destructive of normal structures may be used to treat spinal stenosis.

Non-surgical treatments for this condition are very similar to the non-surgical methods described above for spinal stenosis. Spinal fusion surgery may be required to treat this condition, with many patients improving their function and experiencing less pain.

Nearly half of all vertebral fractures occur without any significant back pain. If pain medication, progressive activity, or a brace or support does not help with the fracture, two minimally invasive procedures - vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty - may be options.

Ankles can be stabilized by lightweight orthoses, available in molded plastics as well as softer materials that use elastic properties to prevent foot drop. Additionally, shoes can be fitted with traditional spring-loaded braces to prevent foot drop while walking. Regular exercise is usually prescribed.

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a technique that uses electrical currents to activate nerves innervating extremities affected by paralysis resulting from spinal cord injury (SCI), head injury, stroke and other neurological disorders. FES is primarily used to restore function in people with disabilities. It is sometimes referred to as Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) The latest treatments include stimulation of the peroneal nerve, which lifts the foot when you step. Many stroke and multiple sclerosis patients with foot drop have had success with it. Often, individuals with foot drop prefer to use a compensatory technique like steppage gait or hip hiking as opposed to a brace or splint.

Treatment for some can be as easy as a foot-up ankle support (ankle-foot orthoses). A cuff is placed around the patient's ankle, and a hook is installed under the shoelaces. The hook connects to the ankle cuff and lifts the shoe up when the patient walks.

See also

References

  • Mayo Clinic. (Nov. 5 2010). Foot Drop. Retrieved from [4]
  • James W Pritchett, MD. (Jun 23,2009). Foot Drop. Retrieved from [5]
  • Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. (2011). [6]

External links

  • YouTube video of CMT sufferer
  • Walid MS, Ajjan M, Patel N, T Guta: Cellulitis May Present As Foot Drop In A Diabetic Patient: The Internet Journal of Neurology. 2007; Volume 7, Number 1.[7]
  • Foot Drop article from Emedicine.com by James W Pritchett, MD, FACS; Margaret A Porembski, MD.
  • Foot Drop from the Mayo Clinic.

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • foot drop — n an extended position of the foot caused by paralysis of the flexor muscles of the leg called also drop foot * * * footdrop …   Medical dictionary

  • foot drop — /ˈfʊt drɒp/ (say foot drop) noun a weakness in the positioning of the front part of the foot, causing fatigue in walking, and brought on by a range of conditions that may be anatomical, muscular, or nervous in origin. Also, foot flop …  

  • Foot drop brace — A brace usually made of plastic that is worn on the lower leg and foot to support the ankle, hold the foot and ankle in the correct position, and correct foot drop. This type of brace is called an ankle foot orthosis …   Medical dictionary

  • foot drop — noun 1. : an extended position of the foot caused by paralysis of the flexor muscles of the leg called also toedrop 2. : a planter with a seed dropping mechanism to be operated by the foot * * * Pathol. extension of the foot caused by paralysis… …   Useful english dictionary

  • foot drop — Pathol. extension of the foot caused by paralysis of the flexor muscles of the leg. [1905 10] * * * …   Universalium

  • drop foot — n FOOT DROP …   Medical dictionary

  • drop — [[t]drɒ̱p[/t]] ♦♦ drops, dropping, dropped 1) V ERG If a level or amount drops or if someone or something drops it, it quickly becomes less. [V prep/adv] Temperatures can drop to freezing at night... [V prep/adv] Once the rate rises it never… …   English dictionary

  • drop — drop1 [ drap ] verb *** ▸ 1 let something fall ▸ 2 let yourself fall ▸ 3 let fall from aircraft ▸ 4 reduce/get less ▸ 5 not continue with something ▸ 6 not include something/someone ▸ 7 stop talking about something ▸ 8 end relationship with… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • drop — droplike, adj. /drop/, n., v., dropped or dropt, dropping. n. 1. a small quantity of liquid that falls or is produced in a more or less spherical mass; a liquid globule. 2. the quantity of liquid contained in such a globule. 3. a very small… …   Universalium

  • drop — 1. noun /dɹɒp,dɹɑp/ a) A small mass of liquid just large enough to hold its own weight via surface tension, usually one that falls from a source of liquid. Put three drops of oil into the mixture. b) The space or distance below a cliff or other… …   Wiktionary

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