Causes
Foot drop is a symptom of an underlying problem, rather than a disease itself. It can be temporary or permanent.
- nerve injury
- brain or spinal disorders
- muscle disorders
Here's some more detail on these causes:
Nerve injury
Most commonly, foot drop is caused by an injury to the peroneal nerve. The peroneal nerve is a branch of the sciatic nerve that wraps from the back of the knee to the front of the shin. Because it sits very close to the surface, it may be damaged easily.
An injury to the peroneal nerve may also be associated with pain or numbness along the shin or the top of the foot.
Some common ways the peroneal nerve is damaged or compressed include:
- sports injuries
- diabetes
- hip or knee replacement surgery
- spending long hours sitting cross-legged or squatting
- childbirth
- large amount of weight loss
Injury to the nerve roots in the spine may also cause foot drop.
Brain or spinal disorders. Neurological conditions can contribute to foot drop. These include:
- stroke
- multiple sclerosis (MS)
- cerebral palsy
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
Muscle disorders. Conditions that cause the muscles to progressively weaken or deteriorate may cause foot drop. These include:
- muscular dystrophy
- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease)
- polio
