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Foot drop is a physical effect people can experience after stroke. Find out more about it and how it is treated.
What is foot drop after stroke?
Foot drop is caused by muscle weakness in the foot and ankle, which makes it harder to lift your toes and the front part of your foot. Muscle weakness is common after stroke.
What are the symptoms of foot drop?
- Your toes may catch on the ground when walking.
- You may lift your foot higher than usual or swing your leg out to the side to make up for the weakness in your ankle.
- Foot drop can lead to difficulty walking and an increased risk of falling.
Walking is when I really feel the effect of my stroke the most. I can’t be on my phone and walk, as I can’t do two things at once very well.
Patrick, stroke survivor
Is foot drop permanent after stroke?
Foot drop can improve with treatment but may be permanent in some cases.
Find help
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Treatments for foot drop
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy can sometimes help foot drop, by giving you exercises to help with strengthening ankle and lower leg muscles. However, sometimes additional support for the ankle is needed.
Ankle-foot orthosis
An ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) is a type of brace that keeps your ankle and foot in one position, to reduce the risk of tripping or falling. It can help to improve your walking speed, stability and balance. Your AFO should be fitted by a qualified professional and you may be referred to an orthotist by a GP or physiotherapist. You’ll be assessed to check you can put on the AFO yourself or have help if you need it.
Functional electrical stimulation
Functional electrical stimulation (FES) can be used to improve walking ability. It can help you walk more quickly, avoid falls and gain independence. It uses small electrical signals to directly stimulate the weak muscles to work. These electrical signals replace the nerve impulses that have been interrupted by damage to the brain. The electrodes can be applied to the skin to deliver electrical stimulation. Electrodes may be implanted directly onto the affected nerve, although this service is not widely available. Having FES on the skin can cause redness and can have an effect on spasticity, so it’s advisable to be assessed at a specialist FES centre after consulting with your therapists. Your doctor can refer you to a specialist FES centre or therapist for assessment and fitting, if it is a suitable treatment for you.
Preventing falls
Some people worry about having a fall after a stroke. You should be offered a falls risk assessment as part of your stroke rehabilitation. A physiotherapist can give you advice, or there may be a falls prevention service in your area. It can also help to remove trip hazards at home, like trailing wires and loose rugs, and to get some guidance on good lighting. See the NHS information on falls for more.
We have more tips and advice on avoiding falls.