Foot drop is a condition where you have difficulty lifting the front part of your foot. This makes the toes drag or scuff along the ground when walking. People with foot drop often compensate by lifting their knee higher with each step (a “steppage” gait), which can cause the foot to slap down on the floor.
Foot drop is not a disease itself, but rather a sign of an underlying problem affecting the nerves or muscles that lift the foot.
These signs can range from mild to severe. If you notice any of these symptoms, especially dragging of the toes or changes in your walking pattern, it’s important to seek an evaluation. Early assessment can identify the cause of foot drop and prevent secondary issues like falls or muscle tightness.
Foot drop happens due to weakness or paralysis of the muscles that lift the foot. A variety of underlying issues can lead to this muscle weakness. Common causes of foot drop include:
Often, foot drop results from a combination of factors. For example, someone with diabetes (which can cause neuropathy) who sustains a knee injury might develop foot drop from both nerve damage and compression. Identifying the exact cause of foot drop is crucial, as it guides the treatment approach. Our podiatrists will take a thorough history and may coordinate further tests (such as nerve conduction studies or imaging) to pinpoint the cause of your foot drop
Treating foot drop focuses on improving your ability to walk and addressing the underlying cause. At Elite Foot Care, we create personalised treatment plans to maximise your mobility and safety. Many cases of foot drop can be managed with conservative treatments, especially if the cause is treatable. Here are common foot drop treatment options we offer or coordinate:
A custom orthotic supports and aligns your lower limb putting the muscles and joints it in a position of congruence. Elite Foot Care has a state of the art custom orthotics manufacturing lab on the Sunshine Coast. This allows us to have complete control over the manufacturing process, resulting in
Elite Foot Care have access to a broad range of footwear designed for all walks of life at our Woombye and Sippy Downs locations! As part of our podiatry service, our podiatrists are able to provide you with the suitable, recommended footwear options from our own footwear store. Alternatively we
Footwear modifications involve making specific adjustments to shoes to enhance their fit, comfort, functionality, and support. These modifications can address a range of foot and lower limb issues, helping to prevent pain and injury while promoting optimal foot health.
Custom Ankle Foot Orthotics are personalised devices designed to support the foot and ankle, correct conditions, and improve overall function and mobility. They are tailored to each patient’s anatomical specifications and specific medical conditions, offering superior support compared to off-the-shelf options.
Exercise prescription using the VALD Performance Assessment system involves tailoring rehabilitation programs based on detailed biomechanical analysis. This approach allows for the design of progressive rehab programs aimed at addressing specific patient needs, optimising recovery, and enhancing overall performance.
Elite Foot Care on the Sunshine Coast are experts in custom Richie Braces for treating foot drop, ankle instability, and PTTD. Our expert podiatrists provide tailored, non-invasive orthotic support to restore mobility, improve stability, and reduce pain, helping you return to an active lifestyle with confidence.
Foot drop isn’t a stand-alone illness but a symptom of an underlying issue. It means you can’t lift the front part of your foot due to weakness or paralysis in the muscles that flex the ankle (dorsiflexors). This usually happens because of a problem with the nerves that send signals to those muscles or the muscles themselves. Foot drop can happen for many reasons – for example, a nerve in your leg may have been compressed or injured (like the peroneal nerve near the knee), or you might have a condition affecting your brain or spinal cord (such as after a stroke or in multiple sclerosis) that disrupts the nerve signals. In short, foot drop happens when the pathway from your brain to your foot is impaired, causing the front of your foot to not lift as it should. Our podiatrists will aim to find out why it’s happening in order to treat it properly.
In many cases, foot drop can improve or even fully go away, but it depends on the cause and severity. If the underlying cause can be treated or heals (for example, a compressed nerve that gets relieved), then the nerve and muscle function may recover and the foot drop will resolve. In fact, foot drop is treatable in most cases, though recovery might take weeks to months. However, if the nerve damage is severe or due to a progressive neurological disease, foot drop could be long-lasting or permanent. Even in those situations, using braces and therapy can greatly improve mobility. Every individual is different – after evaluating you, we can give you an idea of whether your foot drop is likely temporary or something that needs long-term management. The good news is that with proper treatment, most people can significantly improve their walking ability even if the weakness persists.
Treatment for foot drop typically involves supporting the foot and addressing the cause. One of the main treatments is wearing a brace called an Ankle-Foot Orthosis (AFO), which holds your foot at a 90-degree angle so you can walk without catching your toes. Along with bracing, we use physical exercises to strengthen your leg muscles and keep your joints flexible.
At Elite Foot Care, we also provide custom orthotic insoles to support your foot, and we’ll guide you in exercises or refer you to a physiotherapist for gait training. If your foot drop is caused by a specific issue (say a herniated disc or diabetes-related nerve injury), we will address that as well by coordinating appropriate medical care. Surgery is generally a last resort, considered only if other treatments don’t help and the foot drop is significantly affecting your life. Our goal is to use the least invasive measures to get you back on your feet quickly.
In most cases, yes, a brace is very helpful for foot drop. The brace (AFO) keeps your foot from dropping downward, which prevents tripping and helps you walk more normally.
When you come to Elite Foot Care, we will custom-fit an AFO for you so that it’s comfortable to wear inside a shoe and provides the right support. We also often recommend custom orthotic inserts to go along with the brace or for use in situations where a full AFO might not be needed. These orthotics can improve your overall foot alignment and cushioning. Every patient’s needs are different – some people with mild foot drop might get by with just a stiff shoe insert and exercise, but many will benefit from the added stability of an AFO. Our podiatrist will explain the options and make sure you’re getting the proper support device for your condition. Using the right brace or orthotic can make a huge difference in your day-to-day safety and comfort.
Treating foot drop is important for maintaining your mobility and independence. If foot drop is left untreated, you’re at a much higher risk of tripping, falling, and injuring yourself because your toes catch the ground. Over time, not being able to walk properly can also lead to problems like joint stiffness (for example, a tight heel cord/Achilles tendon), changes in your gait that cause knee or hip pain, and even chronic pain from the altered way of walking. Moreover, foot drop could be a sign of a serious underlying issue (such as a nerve compression or neurological disease) that needs medical attention. By seeking treatment early, you not only get help with walking but also address the root cause before it potentially worsens. Our podiatrists can significantly improve your walking safety with braces and therapy, and we’ll work with your doctors if further medical treatments are needed. Bottom line: you shouldn’t ignore foot drop. With proper care, you can prevent complications and improve your quality of life.
Our team of Podiatrists have decades of experience treating all hip, knee, leg, ankle, foot and heel pain as well as a range of skin and nail conditions including ingrown toenails, fungal nail infections and more.
They share a passion for helping the community stay strong and active, helping them achieve their ultimate health outcomes.
Their experience combined with the best treatment technologies available, allow us to achieve the best outcomes for our community.
Using the worlds best treatment technology and methods, we can accelerate your recovery to achieve your ultimate health outcome sooner.
With a prescribed exercise rehab program, your surrounding muscles will strengthen and take the load off your affected tissue. The result is lasting pain relief.
Working with your Podiatrist to complete your personalised treatment plan, you'll be able to do more of the things you love with friends and family.
Book online or call one of our friendly reception staff on 07 5328 3588 to find a time that suits you.
Our experienced Podiatrists will diagnose, create a custom treatment plan and treat in the very first session.
Spend more time with your family and friends being active and doing the things you love.
Our Podiatrists have decades of experience treating an array of conditions.
Our Podiatrists will leave no stone unturned in finding the root cause of your issue.
Our Podiatrists will create a truly custom treatment plan to achieve your ideal outcomes.
Our Podiatrists will clearly explain your condition, providing insight into its nature and treatment options.
We utilise state-of-the-art treatment technologies including: Shockwave Therapy, 3D Laser Scanners, Lunula Fungal Nail Laser to provide our patients with the best possible care.
Our on-site orthotics manufacturing lab allows us to do same or next day orthotic dispenses.
