Drop foot, also known as "foot drop" within the medical community, is defined by Texas Medical Center as the inability to raise the foot due to weakness in muscles of the ankle. Drop foot is most often caused by damage to the peroneal nerve, which controls the movement of the ankles and feet. This damage can be caused by physical trauma or by diseases such as muscular dystrophy. Although surgery is the most effective treatment for drop foot, proper physical therapy exercises can strengthen ankle muscles and improve symptoms.
Isometric Dorsiflexion
The anterior tibialis is the most important muscle to exercise to correct drop foot, and isometric dorsiflexion is a low-impact way to build strength. Sit on the floor or in a chair, and point your toes up. Keep your heels on the floor. Contract the muscles of your shins to bring your toes as far back as possible, you should feel like you are trying to point your toes toward your face. Hold until you feel fatigue in your shins, and then relax your muscles.
Reverse Calf Raise
Reverse calf raises are more strenuous than isometric dorsiflexion, so be cautious when you progress from one exercise to the next. Stand with the arches of your feet on the edge of a platform, hold on to a bar for support and lower the balls of your feet off the edge of the platform. You should feel like you are trying to point your toes at the floor. Raise your toes again, and try to point them at the ceiling. Repeat this movement several times.
Walking
A motion as simple as walking can be terrific exercise for your anterior tibialis if you make a few minor adjustments to your stride. Walking on your heels provides the most benefits for the muscles of your shin. In addition, walking on your heels will help strengthen the small muscles of your ankle that help stabilize your gait. Walk on your heels for 10 yards, then rest and repeat for maximum gain.
Shin Stretch
It is important to keep your muscles flexible as you build their strength. Stretch your anterior tibialis and ankle muscles by kneeling on the floor and sitting on your heels. If this sounds too strenuous, try the modified standing stretch: hold onto a wall for support, keep one foot flat on the floor and point your other toe toward the ground and shift your weight forward on that leg until you feel a slight stretch in your shin.
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