I am getting bad foot drop on my left foot.....I have been using in-lays for many years but they sren't working as well anymore...any suggestions...plz keep in mind that I live in Flordia and things on my feet and legs sweat real bad outside...thxs for the help
I have seen an add, in the MS magazine that I get, for a product that is specifically designed to help with foot drop. That may help.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rTjwb6NOPUU
Since I also have some spasticity in my feet I regularly do the first exercise they mention to help loosen my arch and fan the toes to stretch them out too. They make a good point to assess your own gait to see what is throwing it off. Do you get a burning sensation from walking on the sides of your feet? I do on the outside of my right side. The therapist said it was likely caused by a slight supination and suggested a shoe with the sole slightly flared to prevent the roll to the outside.
I had the footdrop in 1995 and I was fitted with a molded plastic foot brace; it helped, but was hot, uncomfortable , and a pain in the ass. I changed the way I walked and concentrated on not dragging my foot and it worked as well: the only thing that was a down side is that by 2013 I lost all sense of balance and have to use a cane or take a nose dive on a regular basis. You just have to try different things till you find some thing that works for you!
Have you tried stretching or strengthening exercises? I have to stretch my legs, especially my achilles and my toe to metatarsal area back through my arch or my walk is painful. I have also gone back to using heavier pair of shoes, when I returned to using another lighter pair, I noticed a difference. The lighter pair are better for my slight supination, but the other are easier for the balls of my feet. Sucks that we have to always look for ways to trick our bodies by placating one ailment at a time.
I'm in Texas so I know the feeling. Most of the time I end up walking on the sides of my feet, but stretching and massages helps a little and a good sneaker.