Definition

      Drop Foot is the inability to lift the front part of the foot. It happens when there is weakness or paralysis of the muscles that lift the foot. Some people lift their knees higher than normal or swing their legs in a wide arc to avoid catching the forefoot when walking. Often a "slapping" can be heard due to the inability of the muscle to function normally.

​

Symptoms

• Inability to lift the front part of the foot

• Catching or dragging the forefoot when walking

• Lifting knees higher than normal when walking to prevent the foot from catching the ground

• Loss of balance

​

Causes​

• Nerve injury

• Muscles or nerve disorders

• Brain and spinal cord disorders

• Parkinson's disease

• Lower back nerve impingement

• A stroke or tumor