Drop Foot Treatment in Goodyear, AZ
Drop foot is the inability to lift the front of your foot when you walk. It often signals a nerve or spine issue that needs prompt evaluation. Foot Envy diagnoses drop foot, provides AFO bracing and custom orthotics for safer walking, and coordinates with neurologists and spine specialists when the underlying cause needs further workup.
Dr. Craig Udall, DPM is the West Valley's specialist in lower-extremity biomechanics, which is exactly what drop foot care depends on. Same-week visits. Se habla español.
What Is Drop Foot?
Drop foot, sometimes called foot drop, is the inability to lift the front part of your foot when you walk. The toes catch on the ground. The foot slaps down with each step instead of rolling smoothly. To compensate, people with drop foot tend to lift the affected leg higher than normal, a walking pattern called steppage gait.
Drop foot is not a disease in itself. It is a symptom of something else, usually a problem with the nerve that controls the muscles that lift the foot. That nerve, the peroneal nerve, can be affected by injury, compression, neurological conditions, or spine problems. Figuring out the underlying cause is one of the most important parts of drop foot care.
Drop foot can be temporary, with full recovery possible if the underlying cause is treated. It can also be permanent, in which case the goal of treatment is safer walking and a more comfortable daily life.
Symptoms of Drop Foot
The classic signs of drop foot include:
- The foot drags or scuffs on the ground when you walk.
- A slapping sound as the foot hits the ground with each step.
- Lifting the affected leg higher than normal to clear the foot (steppage gait).
- The front of the foot catching on uneven surfaces, curbs, or rugs.
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the foot, top of the foot, or shin.
- Frequent tripping or falling.
- Difficulty wearing certain shoes because the toe catches.
- Muscle wasting along the front of the lower leg in long-standing cases.
Drop foot can affect one foot or both. One-sided drop foot is more common and often points to nerve compression or a localized injury. Two-sided drop foot more often suggests a systemic issue like diabetes-related neuropathy or a more involved neurological condition.
What Causes Drop Foot?
Drop foot has a long list of possible causes. Most of them involve the peroneal nerve, the lower back, or a systemic condition affecting the nerves.
Peroneal nerve compression
The peroneal nerve runs near the surface of the leg, just below the outside of the knee. Sitting cross-legged for long periods, prolonged bed rest, certain casts or braces, and direct injury to the knee can all compress this nerve.
Lumbar spine problems
A herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or other lower back issue can compress the nerve root that controls the foot. Spine-related drop foot is one of the most common causes we see in adults.
Stroke
A stroke that affects the part of the brain controlling foot movement can cause drop foot. This is more common in older patients and is something we see often in our Sun City and Sun City West patients.
Diabetic neuropathy
Long-term diabetes can damage the nerves of the lower extremity, including the nerves that control foot lift. This is a common cause of drop foot in older diabetic patients.
Multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions
MS affects nerve conduction and can cause drop foot, sometimes intermittently. Other less common neurological conditions, including ALS and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, can also present with drop foot.
Trauma
A direct injury to the leg, knee, or foot that damages the peroneal nerve, including sports injuries and combat injuries in our veteran patients.
Surgery complications
Hip or knee surgery occasionally damages the nerve. Drop foot that appears after recent surgery should be evaluated promptly.
The cause matters because the treatment changes based on what is driving the problem. Part of every drop foot evaluation at Foot Envy is figuring out which of these is at work.
Why Drop Foot Needs Prompt Evaluation
Drop foot is not the kind of symptom to wait out. There are two main reasons.
First, the longer a nerve is compressed, the longer recovery takes. For many causes, including herniated discs and peroneal nerve compression, prompt treatment improves the odds of full recovery. Waiting can mean permanent weakness even after the underlying cause is finally addressed.
Second, drop foot is sometimes the first sign of a serious condition. Stroke, ALS, and a significant spine injury can all present with drop foot. Early evaluation catches these problems while they can still be treated.
If you have noticed a new drop foot, especially if it came on suddenly, call us at 623-335-4017 the same day.
How We Treat Drop Foot
Drop foot care is a layered approach. We start with diagnosis to figure out what is causing it, build a treatment plan around the foot and ankle, and bring in other specialists when the underlying cause is outside our lane.
Why Patients See Dr. Udall for Drop Foot
Dr. Udall sees drop foot patients regularly, especially from our Sun City and Sun City West communities where stroke and diabetic neuropathy are more common. His specialty in lower-extremity biomechanics is directly relevant, because drop foot care is fundamentally about supporting the foot and ankle in a way that makes walking safe and as natural as possible. The right AFO brace paired with the right custom orthotic can make daily walking dramatically easier for someone who has been struggling.
When the underlying cause requires neurology, spine, or vascular care, Dr. Udall coordinates with other specialists rather than working in isolation. Drop foot is a condition where multidisciplinary care matters, and we treat it that way.
He is board certified, fellowship trained, and a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) and the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), with hospital privileges at St. Joseph's Westgate Medical Center.
AFO Braces Explained
An AFO brace is the workhorse of drop foot treatment. Most patients use one for at least some of their daily activity, and many use one full-time. Knowing the types helps explain what we may recommend for your case.
Solid AFO
A rigid plastic shell that holds the foot at a fixed angle. Maximum stability, less natural gait. A good choice for severe drop foot or for patients who need maximum support.
Posterior leaf spring AFO
A flexible plastic design that allows some natural motion at the ankle while still holding the foot up. More natural-feeling gait. A good choice for moderate drop foot.
Carbon fiber AFO
A lightweight, dynamic brace that stores and returns energy with each step. More expensive but the closest to natural gait. A good choice for active patients.
Dynamic spring-assisted AFO
An active assist device that helps lift the foot during the swing phase of walking. Used for specific situations where assistance is needed rather than just support.
Functional electrical stimulation (FES)
A different category of device that uses electrical impulses to stimulate the peroneal nerve and lift the foot. FES is not a brace but a stimulation device. It is suitable for some patients depending on the cause of their drop foot.
We help you choose the right type and we make sure it fits your shoes and your daily life.
Living With Drop Foot
A few practical things that make daily life with drop foot easier.
Shoes matter a lot. A shoe with a firm heel counter, a wider opening that lets the AFO fit inside, and a smooth, slip-resistant outsole makes walking safer. Velcro closures or shoes designed to accommodate braces are often the best choice. We help you find them.
Trip hazards in the home. Rugs, raised thresholds, cords, and clutter are real fall risks for someone with drop foot. Removing or securing them is one of the highest-impact things a family can do.
Bathroom safety. Grab bars, non-slip mats, and a shower chair reduce the risk of falls in the most common fall location.
Stairs. Take them one at a time. Use the railing. If stairs are a daily challenge, consider arranging your home so the rooms you use most are on one level.
Stay active. Walking, gentle strengthening, and balance work all help maintain function. Sitting still makes drop foot worse over time.
Drop Foot in Veterans and Active-Duty Service Members
Drop foot is more common among veterans and active-duty service members than in the general population. Combat injuries to the peroneal nerve, lumbar spine injuries from heavy load carriage or jumps, and diabetic neuropathy in older veterans all contribute. For Vietnam-era veterans, peripheral neuropathy from Agent Orange exposure is recognized by the VA as a presumptive service-connected condition, and drop foot can be related.
Active-duty service members
Active-duty service members with diagnosed drop foot, traumatic nerve injuries, or related lumbar spine conditions can receive AFO bracing and custom orthotics through their military treatment facility's podiatry service. Foot Envy accepts TRICARE patients for active-duty referrals, family members, and retired military.
Veterans with service-connected drop foot
Veterans with service-connected drop foot, or service-connected conditions that cause drop foot, may qualify for AFO bracing and orthotics through VA health care, including referrals through the VA Community Care Network. For veterans without service-connected coverage, we see patients under standard insurance, Medicare, or self-pay.
A note for Vietnam-era veterans
Peripheral neuropathy from Agent Orange exposure is a presumptive service-connected condition under VA rules. If you are a Vietnam-era veteran dealing with drop foot related to diabetic or other neuropathy, the VA process exists to help. If you need a private medical evaluation outside the VA system, we can help with that too.
Whatever your situation, call us at 623-335-4017. We will walk through your options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Drop Foot
What causes drop foot most often?
Peroneal nerve compression and herniated discs are the two most common causes we see. Stroke and diabetic neuropathy are next, especially in older patients.
Can drop foot be cured?
Sometimes. If the underlying cause is treatable, such as a herniated disc, peroneal nerve compression that resolves, or a nerve injury that heals, drop foot can fully resolve. For permanent nerve damage, drop foot is usually managed long-term rather than cured.
Will I always need a brace?
That depends on the cause and how the nerve recovers. Patients with reversible causes often use a brace temporarily during recovery and then transition out of it. Patients with permanent nerve damage typically wear an AFO long-term.
What is the difference between an AFO and a custom orthotic?
An AFO supports the ankle and lifts the foot. A custom orthotic supports the inside of the foot. Many drop foot patients wear both together because each does a different job.
Does Medicare cover AFO bracing for drop foot?
Yes, in most cases. Medicare covers medically necessary AFO bracing for drop foot, along with related physical therapy. We verify your specific coverage when you call.
Does TRICARE cover AFO bracing and orthotics?
Yes, when medically necessary. We accept TRICARE patients and verify benefits before any work starts.
Does insurance cover drop foot treatment?
Yes, most major insurance plans cover medically necessary drop foot care, including the exam, AFO bracing, custom orthotics, and follow-up.
How long does it take to get a custom AFO?
About two to three weeks from the fitting visit, depending on the type. We can sometimes provide an off-the-shelf brace immediately while a custom one is being made.
Are there exercises that help drop foot?
Yes, for many patients. Specific strengthening exercises for the foot, ankle, and calf can help recover function when the underlying nerve is healing. We coordinate with physical therapy for a tailored program. We do not recommend generic exercise videos because the right exercises depend on the cause of your drop foot.
¿Habla español?
Sí. Dr. Udall y nuestro equipo hablan español con fluidez. Llame al 623-335-4017 para programar una cita.
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Prescription-grade custom foot orthotics designed by Dr. Udall, the West Valley’s dedicated specialist in lower-extremity biomechanics.
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Custom orthotics, supportive bracing, and conservative care for flat feet (pes planus). Veteran and Luke AFB community welcome.
Foot & Ankle Injuries
Sprained ankle, foot fracture, sports injury, or stress fracture? Same-week visits, in-office digital X-ray, and a plan to get you back to activity.
Foot & Ankle Pain
Not sure what’s wrong? Our foot pain triage page helps you identify what you’re feeling — top-of-foot, ball-of-foot, arch, or ankle pain.
Book Your Drop Foot Evaluation
The first step is a real exam. Dr. Udall will check your strength and reflexes, watch you walk, identify the likely cause of your drop foot, and lay out a treatment plan that starts with the foot and ankle and brings in other specialists if needed. Most patients leave their first visit with a clear picture of what is going on and a plan to start improving daily walking.
