Foot drop

Foot drop occurs when the body is unable to activate the correct muscles. These muscles are controlled by nerves. The condition gets its name from the “slapping” sound that can be heard when a person places the foot on the ground after trying to lift it.

What is foot drop?

With foot drop, you are no longer able to lift the front part of the foot. Because the foot cannot be properly raised during walking, it is lifted higher than usual and then drops down with a “slap” onto the floor. Foot drop develops when the nerves responsible for muscle activation are not functioning well.

This injury arises because the body can no longer properly control the muscles involved in lifting the foot. The nerves that normally activate these muscles may be damaged or compressed. When the nerve is impaired, the foot can no longer lift upward.