Have you ever noticed that your foot drags while walking or that you have to lift your knee higher than usual to avoid tripping? This condition—commonly referred to as foot drop—can be both alarming and frustrating. At Dr. Rami Hamed Center (DRHC) in Dubai, we often see patients experiencing foot drop due to underlying issues in the lumbar spine.
We understand how frightening it can be to suddenly lose control or strength in your leg. Fortunately, many cases can be improved or even reversed with timely and appropriate treatment. Let's explore how problems in the lower spine can lead to foot drop, and what you can do about it.
What Is Foot Drop?
Foot drop is not a disease but a symptom. It refers to difficulty lifting the front part of the foot, causing it to drag while walking. People often compensate by raising their thigh higher with each step—this is called a "steppage gait."
While foot drop can have several causes, one common origin is nerve compression in the lower back, especially in the lumbar spine region.
How the Lumbar Spine Affects the Foot
The lumbar spine contains nerves that control the muscles in your legs and feet. When one of these nerves—especially the L4, L5, or S1 nerve roots—is compressed or damaged, it can affect the ability to lift the foot.
Common lumbar spine conditions that may cause foot drop include:
- Lumbar disc herniation: A slipped or bulging disc can press on a spinal nerve.
- Spinal stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal can compress nerve roots.
- Spondylolisthesis: When a vertebra slips out of place, it can irritate nearby nerves.
- Nerve root injury during surgery or trauma: Rare but possible.
The L5 nerve root is most often involved in foot drop, as it controls the muscles responsible for lifting the foot and big toe.
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Topic: orthopedic Spine Surgery
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