Best Shoes for Foot Drop

When you suffer from foot drop, one of the biggest issues is finding a comfortable and properly fitting shoe that supports your feet without being overly heavy.

A footdrop is not generally an issue, but a sign of underlying muscular or neurological problems.

You need something that helps with a shoe’s lightweight and flexible pain.

We are here to guide you in finding the best shoes for foot drop, offering relief and comfort in your daily life.

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Foot Drop Risks and Symptoms

A foot drop can make it very difficult to lift the front part of your foot, and it may even drag on the floor when you walk.

In turn, this causes you to raise your thigh when you walk as though you are climbing stairs to help your foot clear the floor.

This very unusual gait form can cause you to slap your foot on the floor with every step you take. This can lead to pain and even numbness in the foot and toes.
Some causes and risk factors of a foot drop may include;

• Nerve Injuries – The most common cause of most cases where a foot drop is the compression of a nerve in the legs that controls lifting your feet, called the peroneal nerve. This nerve can be injured during a hip replacement surgery, which is a pinched nerve in your spine. People with diabetes are generally more susceptible to nerve injuries and disorders, sometimes associated with a foot drop.
• Muscle and Nerve Disorders – Many forms of muscular dystrophy, an inherited disease-causing progressive muscle weakness, contribute to a foot drop. Another disease, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, may also be a culprit.
• Brain and Spinal Cord Disorders – Disorders that affect your brain or spinal cord, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, or strokes, may result in a foot drop.
• Wearing a Leg Cast – Plaster casts enclosing your ankle and the end just below the knee exert pressure on the peroneal nerve, which may cause a foot drop.
• Prolonged Kneeling – Occupations or activities that may require you to kneel for long periods, such as picking strawberries or tiling floors, can eventually result in a foot drop.
• Crossing Your Legs – People with a bad habit of crossing their legs when sitting down compress the peroneal nerve in their uppermost leg, which may lead to a foot drop.

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Choosing the Best Shoes for a Foot Drop

Now that we have a comprehensive understanding of the causes and symptoms of foot drop, we can make informed decisions about the best shoes for this condition.

• Width Options – You will need a shoe that perfectly and snugly fits your foot without squeezing, and some people may need to wear an AFO, so the width of the shoe will need to accommodate this. Choose a shoe brand and model that offers width options.
• Extra Depth – A shoe with extra depth or removable cushioning layers is ideal for wearing an AFO, brace, or orthotic support. The additional depth provides a more secure fit and room for wider feet.
• Cushioning – You will still need plenty of comfort and good shock absorbency from your shoes, so choose a shoe that has a cushioning insole and Midsole for shock absorbency.
• Lightweight – Heavy shoes are one of the biggest issues with a foot drop. Heavy shoes make it much harder to lift your feet from the floor and exacerbate foot drop. You also have a greater chance of scuffing your toes and falling in heavy shoes. Please ensure the shoes are made from lightweight materials.
• Support – You need a shoe that maintains proper support to keep your feet aligned and stabilize your arches and heels. Most lightweight shoes may only sometimes offer this kind of support.
• Non-Slip – Because you have a larger risk of slips and falls with a foot drop, you need the security of a high grip outsole that will keep you firm and stable even on slippery floor surfaces.

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Features of a Good Shoe for a Foot Drop

• Uppers – Look for lightweight, flexible leather or mesh uppers that breathe well and are comfortable. A lining that wicks away moisture and prevents chafing is ideal.
• Insole and Midsole – A lightweight cushioned insole and foam, or EVA midsole, provides cushioning and shock absorbency.
• Support – Lightweight support features and stability features such as arc support and a contoured footbed provide support without the weight.
• Outsole – Opt for a rubber outsole with high traction and grip-patterned tread.
• Fit – Look for shoe models with different width options.
• Aside from size and width, most shoe brands and models for foot drop also offer a variety of color options, providing a wide range of choices.

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Reviews: The Best Shoes for a Foot Drop

We hope you love the products we recommend! We may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.

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I recommend this product to manage pain and discomfort caused by post-stroke foot drop and other neuromuscular deficits as it will provide an improvement in the gait cycle via support for drop foot.

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Index Table: Top Rated Shoes for a Foot Drop

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