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What Are The Underlying Cause For Foot Drop In Children?

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Posted on Fri, 7 Feb 2014
Question: My grandson has developed footdrop in both feet no other symptons what couldbe the cause
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Answered by Dr. Manjeth Kumar G (3 hours later)
Brief Answer: Peroneal nerve injury. EMG. Light weight braces. Detailed Answer: Hello, I have gone through the query and understand your concern. There are many causes for foot drop in child. One of the most common cause is the Peroneal Nerve Injury. This nerve provide sensation to the anterior (front) and lateral (side) parts of the legs and to the top of the feet. They innervate muscles in the legs which lift the ankle and toes upward (dorsi flexion). Some common ways the peroneal nerve is damaged or compressed include sports injuries, spending long hours sitting in crossed-legged or squatting position, other injuries (e.g., knee or joint dislocation or fracture, herniated disc). Foot drop injury can be caused by an injury to the spinal cord or from other underlying diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), or Parkinson's disease. Apart from foot drop symptoms, he should be investigated to find the cause. He may need the following investigations to 1. Electrical testing like Electromyelogram( EMG) 2. Serum protein electrophoresis/immunoelectro-osmophoresis 3. Imaging studies, such as X-rays or high-resolution 3-T MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) In addition to these he need a comprehensive clinical exam, including neurologicalexams and complete medical history. Diagnosis is necessary to determine the cause of foot drop, so the appropriate treatment plan, including a surgical option, is considered. Depending on the cause and severity of your drop foot injury, the treatment for foot drop varies. Treatments include light-weight braces, shoe inserts (orthotics), physical therapy. Surgery like decompression surgery, nerve sutures, nerve grafting, or nerve transfer or tendon transfer may be needed as the final option. However, Early treatment may improve your chances of recovery. Hope this helps. Please write back for further queries. Wishing you good health.
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Manjeth Kumar G

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 1120 Questions

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What Are The Underlying Cause For Foot Drop In Children?

Brief Answer: Peroneal nerve injury. EMG. Light weight braces. Detailed Answer: Hello, I have gone through the query and understand your concern. There are many causes for foot drop in child. One of the most common cause is the Peroneal Nerve Injury. This nerve provide sensation to the anterior (front) and lateral (side) parts of the legs and to the top of the feet. They innervate muscles in the legs which lift the ankle and toes upward (dorsi flexion). Some common ways the peroneal nerve is damaged or compressed include sports injuries, spending long hours sitting in crossed-legged or squatting position, other injuries (e.g., knee or joint dislocation or fracture, herniated disc). Foot drop injury can be caused by an injury to the spinal cord or from other underlying diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), or Parkinson's disease. Apart from foot drop symptoms, he should be investigated to find the cause. He may need the following investigations to 1. Electrical testing like Electromyelogram( EMG) 2. Serum protein electrophoresis/immunoelectro-osmophoresis 3. Imaging studies, such as X-rays or high-resolution 3-T MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) In addition to these he need a comprehensive clinical exam, including neurologicalexams and complete medical history. Diagnosis is necessary to determine the cause of foot drop, so the appropriate treatment plan, including a surgical option, is considered. Depending on the cause and severity of your drop foot injury, the treatment for foot drop varies. Treatments include light-weight braces, shoe inserts (orthotics), physical therapy. Surgery like decompression surgery, nerve sutures, nerve grafting, or nerve transfer or tendon transfer may be needed as the final option. However, Early treatment may improve your chances of recovery. Hope this helps. Please write back for further queries. Wishing you good health.