Foot Drop Exercises

There are several foot drop exercises that can be performed by any person who is suffering from this condition. Foot drop is a major problem in a person because it is a visible deformity. This causes the person to have a change in the gait too. So, when a person suffers from foot drop, it leads to severe deformity that can be corrected with Foot drop exercises in the early stages.

When the deformity worsens or when there is no change in the status of the deformity, there are other methods that are followed to get the deformity treated. In spite of all the methods that are available to treat a foot drop, the foot drop exercises are very important and are also the primary method of treating the condition.

There are some important goals of treating the foot drop. The main aim of the foot drop exercises is to make sure that the foot does not have a permanent deformity. It is important to ensure that the deformity can be corrected. So, the stretching of the muscles and the other soft tissue is very important. This will help to keep all the tissues in the optimal length without getting contracted. A contracture will develop if stretching exercises are not performed.

Performing stretching foot drop exercises

Stretching the foot is very easy and is an important component of the drop foot treatment. The foot drop causes the foot to be in the dropped position. So, you have to stand about one foot from a wall and then lean towards the wall. This will stretch the Tendo Achilles tendon. This will help to prevent TA contracture.

Another method of performing the same exercise is by standing on a stair case with only the forefoot on the stairs. The hind foot is in the air and is not supported. Then using your body weight, you have to make the foot go up by making your body weight press on the hind foot. This performs the same function, but is much more difficult to perform unless you are fit.

Active exercises for foot drop

When the muscle is weak, you have to perform active exercise. This can be done with the leg over the other leg. In this position, you have to try and lift the foot up. Even though you may not be able to perform this movement, you will be able to activate the muscle. When you keep doing this kind of exercise for a regular period, the muscle may start functioning.

Strengthening the Tibialis anterior in the recovery period

When the foot drop is recovering, the Tibialis anterior muscle needs to be strengthened. This can be done by using a small weight to be tied to the anterior aspect of the foot. In this position, you should make sure that the foot is lifted up with the forefoot higher than the hind foot. This is one of the foot drop exercises that will help to strengthen the muscle. If this is done repeatedly, the muscle will gain full power and the recovery from foot drop will be complete with the foot drop exercises.

What Is Drop Foot

What is drop foot is a common question that people have in their mind. This is nothing but a condition that is seen in those who suffer from damage to their peripheral nerves. The lateral popliteal nerve is the one that is usually damaged when a person suffers from drop foot. Because of the nerve damage, there could also be associated damage to the muscle and this is what leads to drop foot, also commonly known as foot drop.

The muscle that is damaged is the tibilais anterior. This muscle is the one that helps the foot to be lifted up and when this muscle is damaged, the person will not be able to life the foot from the ground. This lack of ability to lift the foot off the ground will mean that you will not be able to walk in a normal pattern. The foot will keep slapping on the ground and you will wither have to drag the leg or life the leg higher than normal to clear the ground while walking.

For those who wonder as to what is drop foot, they will also benefit from knowing the various causes of this condition that is also known as foot drop. The common reason for the drop foot to occur is direct injury to the lateral popliteal nerve in any gunshot injuries or cut injuries. There are some other causes of this condition too. If a person has damage to a part of the brain or if the brain is diseased as in stroke, there is a generalized weakness or paralysis of the muscles and this too can lead to drop foot.

Those who are suffering from this condition will not be searching for the answer as to what is drop foot, but will be on the lookout for the solution to the problem that they are suffering from. The common method in which the condition can be treated is the use of splints. These splints can either be night splints or they can be day splints. The affected person can also use in shoe splints that are usually very acceptable. Other than the use of splints, which are temporary treatment measures, the use of surgery to correct the drop foot deformity can also be tried. This is a much more permanent remedy. This would be the most comprehensive information for all those who are wondering as to what is drop foot.