Quick Answer: What Doctor Do You See For Nerve Pain From Drop Foot?

Who treats peroneal nerve injury?

The emergency department physician should be able to recognize common peroneal nerve injury and consult with the orthopedic surgeon.

What nerve is affected in foot drop?

The most common cause of foot drop is compression of a nerve in your leg that controls the muscles involved in lifting the foot ( peroneal nerve ). This nerve can also be injured during hip or knee replacement surgery, which may cause foot drop.

Is foot drop a disability?

Foot drop caused by trauma or nerve damage usually shows partial or even complete recovery. For progressive neurological disorders, foot drop will be a symptom that is likely to continue as a lifelong disability.

How do you fix foot drop?

Managing foot drop

1. wearing an ankle- foot brace or splint to hold your foot in a normal position.
2. physiotherapy to strengthen your foot, ankle and lower leg muscles.
3. electrical nerve stimulation – in certain cases, it can help lift the foot.
4. surgery.

How do you fix peroneal nerve damage?

Nonsurgical treatments, including orthotics, braces or foot splints that fit inside the person’s shoe, can bring relief. Physical therapy and gait retraining can help the person improve their mobility. Some injuries may require peripheral nerve surgery, including one or more of these procedures: Decompression surgery.

What are symptoms of peroneal nerve damage?

Symptoms

• Decreased sensation, numbness, or tingling in the top of the foot or the outer part of the upper or lower leg.
• Foot that drops (unable to hold the foot up)
• “Slapping” gait (walking pattern in which each step makes a slapping noise)
• Toes drag while walking.
• Walking problems.
• Weakness of the ankles or feet.

Does walking help foot drop?

The telltale sign of foot drop is catching your toes on the ground as you walk. A physical therapist can help treat the condition with exercises and other modalities. The main goal of physical therapy for foot drop is to improve functional mobility related to walking.

What kind of doctor should I see for foot drop?

You’re likely to start by seeing your family doctor. Depending on the suspected cause of foot drop, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in brain and nerve disorders (neurologist).

Can Foot Drop be corrected with exercise?

Rehabilitation Exercises for Foot Drop Specific exercises that strengthen the muscles in the foot, ankle and lower leg can help improve the symptoms of foot drop in some cases. Exercises are important for improving range of motion, preventing injury, improving balance and gait, and preventing muscle stiffness.

How long can foot drop last?

Prognosis and outcome vary according to the cause of the foot drop. In a peripheral compressive neuropathy, recovery can be expected in up to 3 months, provided that further compression is avoided. A partial peroneal nerve palsy after total knee replacement has a uniformly good prognosis.

Can a chiropractor fix drop foot?

Nerve stimulation: It may occasionally be necessary to stimulate the nerves affecting the foot in order to address foot drop. Chiropractors and other medical professionals may use manual manipulation to stimulate the nerve in question.

Can you drive if you have foot drop?

The result is a lifting action to control foot drop during the swing phase, but an unrestricted motion of the foot when on the ground. Walking can be restored to near-normal and driving an automobile is no longer a restriction.

What is the best exercise for drop foot?

Stretching exercises are an excellent treatment for foot drop. Physical therapists will advise patients to sit on the floor, place a towel around the foot, hold onto both ends and gently pull the towel towards them. This helps stretch the muscles of the calf and foot. Other exercises include leg flexes and toe curls.

What does foot drop feel like?

What are the symptoms of foot drop? People who have foot drop may drag their toes when they walk. They may also have to lift their knees higher than usual to avoid dragging their toes. Other symptoms include muscle weakness and “tingling” feelings in the leg.

What are the first signs of foot drop?

A few symptoms and signs of foot drop include:

• Inability to hold footwear. A feeling of loosening of the footwear may cause discomfort and dragging of the affected foot while walking.
• Tripping.
• Falls.
• High steppage gait.
• Circumduction gait.
• Limp foot.
• Numbness.
• Often unilateral.