Foot Drop in Orthopaedic Surgery: Anatomy, Etiology, Differential Diagnosis, and Treatment

» Foot drop is a problem encountered by orthopaedic surgeons from various subspecialties. The etiology can vary from the lower extremity to the spine and can be managed conservatively depending on functional limitations. Common nonsurgical interventions include ankle-foot orthoses, physical therapy, electrical nerve stimulation, and activity modification. Surgical options vary between nerve decompression and lower extremity tendon transfers. The purpose of this review was to provide an overview of the anatomy, etiology, diagnoses, and treatment options of foot drop.