Learn why treating drop foot is so important and how to treat the foot drop. 

What is foot drop?

Various neurologic or orthopedic conditions can result in a condition of the
lower extremity called foot drop. Foot drop occurs when changes in muscle tone
in the foot and leg affect coordination and strength resulting in an inability
to flex the ankle or lift the forefoot.

It is important to treat footdrop. Why?
A small thing like not being able to tap your toes can seem inconsequential but,
if left untreated, can lead to gait abnormalities, injury to the foot or leg,
increased fall risk, or postural deformity. In order to compensate for poor foot
control, people with foot drop adopt compensatory movements, such as excessively
lifting at the hip or over-flexing the knee ― a pattern known as steppage gait.
This gait pattern can lead to cascading compensatory postures throughout the
body, which can lead to pain or impairments in other areas.





Decreased sensation in the foot often accompanies foot drop. As a result, when
individuals with foot drop scuff their toes along the ground or bump against
objects in their path, they can injure themselves without being aware. These
small injuries can become worse with repetition or lead to infection.


How can I improve my foot drop?
Foot drop can be mild to severe, unilateral or bilateral. The first line of
treatment often involves the use of a foot drop brace. The Neofect Drop Foot
Brace
[https://shop.neofect.com/collections/add-on/products/neofect-drop-foot-brace] 
is an ankle and foot brace that maintains foot dorsiflexion and prevents the
foot from inverting during gait. With its ergonomic design, the brace helps
individuals to walk more naturally by assisting with lifting the toes and
keeping the ankle in alignment.





Different strap tensions are available to increase ankle stability. 3 high
tension straps and 1 low tension strap provides appropriate support to improve
gait. A 2mm foot pad provides support to keep the toes from clawing during
walking. Compare to other foot drop splints, the Neofect Drop Foot
[https://shop.neofect.com/collections/add-on/products/neofect-drop-foot-brace] 
brace is made of fabric material which is easier to wear and accommodates socks
and shoes. The open heel design allows for increased sensation and motion during
gait and activities of daily living.