Dragging your toes, tripping more than usual, or feeling like your ankle will not lift the way it should can be unsettling. These changes may point to foot drop, which is not a diagnosis by itself but a sign that something is interfering with nerve or muscle function. In New Jersey, Princeton Neurological Surgery helps patients with foot drop and other spine-related concerns identify the source of the problem. Dr. Edward H. Scheid, Jr. is a board-certified neurosurgeon with experience treating a wide range of spine conditions, including herniated discs, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, spinal tumors, and complex spinal deformities.
What Foot Drop Can Look Like
Foot drop happens when you have difficulty lifting the front part of the foot. Some people notice that their toes drag while walking. Others develop a high-stepping gait because they have to lift the knee higher to keep the foot from catching on the ground.
Signs of foot drop can include:
- Tripping over the front of the foot
- Trouble lifting the toes
- Slapping the foot down while walking
- Weakness in the ankle or foot
- Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot
- A noticeable change in walking pattern
Why Foot Drop Can Happen
Foot drop can come from several sources. In some patients, it is related to a problem in the lumbar spine, such as compression of the L4 or L5 nerve roots. It can also be linked to peroneal nerve injury, spinal cord injury, or another neurological condition.
A herniated disc is one possible spine-related cause. When disc material presses on nearby nerves, it can lead to radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness. If the muscles that lift the foot are affected, walking can become difficult or unstable.
When to See a Spine Specialist
You should seek care if foot weakness appears suddenly, worsens, or affects your ability to walk safely. Foot drop with back pain, leg pain, numbness, or tingling can suggest that a nerve in the lower spine is involved.
A spine specialist can review your concerns, perform a neurological exam, and order imaging or nerve studies when needed. Because foot drop can come from the lumbar spine, a peripheral nerve, or another neurological source, our neurosurgical team uses a careful diagnostic process before discussing treatment options. A clear diagnosis matters because treatment for lumbar nerve compression is different from care for a peripheral nerve injury.
Is Surgery Always Needed for Foot Drop?
Not always. Treatment depends on the cause, severity, and timing of the weakness. Some patients may need conservative care, bracing, therapy, or monitoring. Others may need a procedure if imaging shows a compressed nerve and function is not improving.
When a herniated disc is causing nerve compression, lumbar disc microsurgery may be discussed. This minimally invasive procedure is used to relieve nerve pressure caused by a herniated disc.
Foot Drop Evaluation in New Jersey
A new change in walking, toe dragging, or ankle weakness deserves attention. Princeton Neurological Surgery helps patients in New Jersey understand whether foot drop may be related to the spine, a nerve injury, or another neurological concern. To request an evaluation, contact us or call 609-890-3400.