Are you wondering about foot drop and how it relates to MS? It's a common symptom worth understanding!
Foot drop makes it hard to lift the front part of your foot when walking, which can cause dragging, scuffing, or an increased risk of tripping and falling. In MS, it happens when signals between the brain and the muscles Show Full Answer
Are you wondering about foot drop and how it relates to MS? It's a common symptom worth understanding!
Foot drop makes it hard to lift the front part of your foot when walking, which can cause dragging, scuffing, or an increased risk of tripping and falling. In MS, it happens when signals between the brain and the muscles that lift the foot get disrupted. Some everyday effects can include:
- Dragging or scuffing the foot on the ground
- Lifting the knee higher than usual to compensate (called steppage gait)
- Difficulty with stairs, curbs, and uneven surfaces
- Increased fatigue from changing your walking style
- Hip and lower back pain over time
- A higher risk of falls The good news is there are several treatment options available. Here's a quick overview:
- Physical therapy — Helps strengthen leg, ankle, and foot muscles and manage spasticity
- Ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) — A brace or splint worn on the lower leg to keep the foot in the right position
- Functional electrical stimulation (FES) — A device that sends small electrical signals to nerves to help move the leg while walking
- Lifestyle changes — Wearing supportive footwear, clearing walkways of hazards, moving slowly and deliberately
- Surgery — Reserved for severe or long-lasting cases A MyMSTeam member shared that going to the gym three times a week really improved their walking and foot drop, and that keeping their weight down also helped. Another member found that using a brace prevented foot dragging and helped them stay mobile for over 15 years.
It's worth talking to your neurologist if you're experiencing this — they can help figure out the best approach for your specific situation.
July 5
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