What is Foot Drop?
Foot drop, also known as drop foot, is a condition characterised by difficulty lifting the front part of the foot. This causes the toes to drag along the ground while walking, significantly affecting mobility and increasing the risk of trips and falls. Foot drop is not a disease itself, but rather a symptom of an underlying neurological, muscular or anatomical problem.
People with foot drop often develop an altered walking pattern, lifting the knee higher than normal in a characteristic “steppage gait” to compensate for the dropped foot. While it can affect one or both feet, it most commonly occurs on one side. The condition can be temporary or permanent depending on the underlying cause.
What Causes Foot Drop?
Foot drop can result from a range of neurological, muscular and mechanical conditions. Understanding the root cause is essential for determining the most effective treatment approach.
Neurological Conditions
Stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease and other central nervous system disorders can impair the brain’s ability to send signals to the muscles that lift the foot.
Nerve Injury
Damage to the peroneal nerve, which runs near the surface of the skin at the side of the knee, is the most common cause. This can occur from sports injuries, hip or knee surgery, or prolonged pressure on the nerve.
Spinal Cord Conditions
Herniated discs, spinal stenosis, spinal cord injuries and tumours affecting the lumbar spine can compress the nerves responsible for foot and ankle movement.
Muscle Disorders
Progressive muscle-wasting conditions such as muscular dystrophy, motor neurone disease (MND) and peripheral neuropathy can weaken the muscles that control foot lift.
Post-Surgical
Foot drop can develop as a complication following hip or knee replacement surgery, or any procedure that may affect the peroneal nerve or surrounding structures.
Diabetes & Neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy can damage peripheral nerves over time, leading to weakness in the foot and ankle muscles and contributing to foot drop.
Effects of Foot Drop
Foot drop can have a wide-ranging impact on daily life, mobility and overall wellbeing. The effects extend beyond simple difficulty in walking.
Falls & Injuries
Tripping over the dropped foot is a major safety concern, especially on uneven surfaces or stairs.
Altered Gait
Steppage gait or circumduction pattern places abnormal stress on the hip, knee and lower back.
Fatigue
Compensatory walking patterns require significantly more energy, leading to earlier fatigue during activity.
Loss of Independence
Difficulty walking can reduce confidence, limit social activities and affect the ability to work or drive.
Secondary Pain
Altered biomechanics can lead to pain in the hip, knee, lower back and the unaffected leg.
Emotional Impact
Living with mobility limitations can contribute to anxiety, depression and reduced quality of life.
How We Treat Foot Drop
At Physiowork, we offer a comprehensive range of treatment options tailored to each patient’s individual needs. Our approach combines expert physiotherapy assessment with specialist devices to optimise mobility and independence.
Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation
Our specialist neurological physiotherapists provide targeted rehabilitation programmes including muscle strengthening, gait retraining, balance exercises and functional mobility training.
Regular physiotherapy can help maintain range of movement, prevent contractures and maximise your functional ability.
Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)
FES devices use small electrical impulses to stimulate the nerves and muscles responsible for lifting the foot during walking. This helps achieve a more natural gait pattern and can also promote neuroplasticity.
We are specialist providers of the G4 X-FT FES device — see below for more details.
Orthotic Splints & Supports
Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) and specialist foot drop splints physically support the foot in a raised position, preventing it from dragging during walking.
We sell and fit the Xtern Turbomed foot drop splint — a lightweight, dynamic orthosis designed for active users. See below for details.
Xtern Turbomed Foot Drop Splint
Turbomed Xtern — Dynamic Foot Drop Orthosis
The Turbomed Xtern is a revolutionary foot drop splint that uses a unique spring-powered mechanism to lift the foot during the swing phase of walking. Unlike traditional rigid AFOs, the Xtern is lightweight, discreet, and allows a natural range of ankle movement.
Designed for active individuals, it clips onto most types of footwear and can be easily transferred between shoes. It is suitable for patients with foot drop caused by stroke, MS, incomplete spinal cord injury, peroneal nerve palsy and other conditions.
- Lightweight carbon fibre construction
- Dynamic spring mechanism for natural gait
- Fits most standard footwear
- Easy to transfer between shoes
- Suitable for active users
- No electronics or batteries required
G4 X-FT FES Device
G4 X-FT — Functional Electrical Stimulation
The G4 X-FT is an innovative, self-programming FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation) device specifically designed for the treatment of foot drop. Manufactured by XFT Medical, the G4 X-FT uses AI-driven technology and integrated medical-grade stainless steel electrodes to stimulate the peroneal nerve during walking, causing the foot to lift at exactly the right moment in the gait cycle.
The device is worn on the lower leg and programmes itself as you walk, customising the stimulation to your specific gait pattern. It is water-resistant, durable and comfortable, with integrated electrodes that eliminate the need for disposable pads. The G4 X-FT comes with a two-year warranty, extendable to five years.
- Automatic stimulation timed to your gait
- Multi-channel for complex gait correction
- Promotes neuroplasticity and muscle re-education
- Self-programming AI-driven technology
- Expert fitting and ongoing support from our team
- Suitable for stroke, MS, spinal cord injury and more
Why Choose Physiowork?
Our team of specialist neurological physiotherapists have extensive experience in assessing and treating foot drop across a range of conditions.
Specialist Expertise
HCPC registered physiotherapists with over 15 years of experience in neurological rehabilitation and foot drop management.
Device Specialists
Authorised providers of the Turbomed Xtern splint and G4 X-FT FES device, with full fitting, training and aftercare support.
Multiple Locations
Convenient clinics across Norfolk and Suffolk, plus home visit services available for those with mobility difficulties.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Whether you are looking for expert physiotherapy, an FES device or a specialist foot drop splint, our team is here to help you regain your mobility and independence.