ORTHOPEDICS/LEG, FOOT & ANKLE/THERAPY & SURGERY
Anterior Tibialis Weakness /Rehab
A foot drop is a suffering disorder resulting from a damage or illness caused of reduced muscle function in the shin front.
A foot drop arises when the anterior tibialis muscle that helps lifting the foot up does not function appropriately.
When a patient suffers of a foot drop, his walking ability may lessen.
A foot drop usually causes a particular walking shape called a high steppage gait.
This walking shape (or gait pattern) is easily identifiable.
If a person suffers of a foot drop, the physical therapist should assess the foot drop and perform numerous methods to help improving this disorder.
Foot Drop / Causes
Foot drop reasons comes in many different ways.
Occasionally, problems in the central nervous system may cause weakness or paralysis the anterior tibialis muscle.
Other times, a damage to the nerves in the leg may cause foot drop as well.
Some of these frequent foot drop reasons are: Stroke, Sciatica, Peroneal nerve damage, Transverse myelitis and Multiple sclerosis.
Foot Drop / Physical Therapy
Knowing the foot drop condition will allow better therapy, such as the damage nature, the time that foot drop has been present…
Several tests and measures may be considered like for eample:
- Foot and ankle range of motion (ROM)
- Lower extremity muscle strength
- Functional mobility
- Functional consequences measures
- Balance and proprioception
- Physical Therapy
Various treatment modalities may be performed to help improving the anterior tibialis muscle function such as, Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) which is a type of electrical stimulation that artificially contracts the muscle to help re-educate it to contracting appropriately.
Foot Drop / Trainings
Several different movements exist for foot drop rehabilitation.
If the foot drop is being caused by compression of the sciatic nerve, low back exercises may be attempted to relieve that compression and restore normal function to the anterior tibialis.
If the anterior tibialis muscle is not functioning to flex the ankle, stretching exercises for the calf muscle may be considered to help maintaining it from getting too tight.
Foot Drop/ External Supports and Bracing
Physical therapy will work to improve ability to lift the foot while walking.
Sometimes, when improvement with foot drop is slow, an external brace called an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) is necessary to help lifting the foot while walking.
A Final Word
A foot drop is a frightening experience, and it necessitate attention to get back to normal activity safely and quickly.
Being a good candidate with a dedicated physical therapy, you can maximize your chances of improving a full recovery.