Drop Foot, sometimes called Foot Drop is a condition where you to always seem to be tripping over your toes and you are finding it impossible to lift the front part of your foot when you walk. It’s an unfamiliar term and probably sounds a bit weird, but it is a perfect description of Drop Foot.
Okay, So Tell Me More About Drop Foot!
Please, don’t think of Drop Foot as a disease on its own. Instead, think of it as a warning light on your physical dashboard. It’s telling you that something is amiss with the nerves or muscles that work in controlling the lifting of your foot. In some cases, people have to swing their leg out to the side or march with an exaggerated high step to simply avoid dragging their toes.
And what is the most common cause? Nerve issues. “The peroneal nerve, which wraps around the outside of your knee and controls the muscles that lift your foot, can get pinched, injured, or compressed.” But drop foot can also occur(1) after a back injury,(2) from certain neurological conditions, or (3) from sitting cross-legged for way too long a period.
What Are People With Drop Foot Experiencing?
Usually, the first thing a Drop Foot patient notices is that they are tripping quite often and feeling very clumsy. This can sometimes lead to depression. The next thing many of these patients do is to try to change the way they walk. Many of them are experiencing a numbness or weakness in their foot. In several cases, this might be accompanied by pain up your leg or in your lower back, depending on what’s causing it.
How Can Livingston Chiropractic Help With Drop Foot?
Aha! I’ve just asked the million dollar question. The short answer is: Sometimes, we can. Everything depends upon what is behind your specific case. Dr. Livingston is an expert in spine and nerve health. So, if your drop foot is being caused by a pinched nerve in your lower back which has resulted in things like a herniated disc, spinal misalignment, or some swelling around your nerves, Dr. Livingston could help to take the pressure off that nerve.
Here is a breakdown for you:
- Assessment: Dr. Livingston doesn’t just start cracking away. He’ll ask for imaging if he feels it’s an important part of the picture. His goal would be to figure out exactly where the nerve is getting irritated.
- Adjustments: When the problem is in your spine — for example a misaligned relieves that pressure. But don’t expect it to fix drop foot overnight, what it can do is set you on the road to recovery.
- Soft Tissue Work: In some cases, tight muscles or connective tissues are part of the problem. Dr. Livingston may use techniques like myofascial release or stretching to loosen things up.
- Exercise and Rehab: Sometimes Dr. Livingston will give you targeted exercises that could retrain your muscles and strengthen your leg. This is extremely important for long-term recovery.
When Should You See Livingston Chiropractic (and When Should You See Someone Else)?
If your drop foot came on suddenly, especially with severe pain, weakness, or loss of bladder/bowel control — get to your primary care physician at once. These sudden, severe symptoms often are signals of a medical emergency.
But if your symptoms have come on slowly, or if you know you have a history of back problems or nerve issues, Livingston Chiropractic is a great place to start. We can work alongside your primary care physician or neurologist to make sure you’re seeing the full picture.
What’s The Bottom Line?
Drop foot can be scary, but it’s not always a life sentence. The key is to find the cause. If a pinched nerve or musculoskeletal issue is the culprit, Dr. Livingston can help relieve the pressure, restore function, and get you back to walking normally. Listen to your body — and don’t be afraid to ask Livingston Chiropractic for help.
Got questions? Call Dr. Livingston at 440-528-0005 ext. 1 to learn if chiropractic care is right for your situation? Reach out to us for a personalized assessment. Your feet will thank you.