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FOOT DROP REHABILITATION

Transformative Path to Recovery

Improve mobility and reduce the risk of tripping with foot drop rehabilitation from MOTIONrehab.

Drop foot (Foot Drop) is a condition where a person has difficulty lifting the front part of the foot, causing it to drag along the ground when walking. It is a symptom of an underlying neurological, muscular, or anatomical issue rather than a disease itself.

Drop foot occurs due to weakness or paralysis of the muscles that lift the foot (dorsiflexors), which can result from:

  • Nerve damage (neuropathy)
  • Nerve compression (e.g., prolonged kneeling, leg crossing, or tight casts)
  • Sciatic nerve injury
  • Diabetes-related neuropathy
  • Neurological conditions affecting the brain or spinal cord.
  • Muscle disorders – Conditions like muscular dystrophy can weaken foot-lifting muscles.
  • Spinal cord injuries – Herniated discs, tumours, or trauma affecting nerves supplying the foot.

How MOTIONrehab can help with Foot Drop

MOTIONrehab are experts in the use of FES for the treatment of drop foot. Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) is a treatment that uses electrical impulses to activate the nerves controlling foot movement. It helps people with drop foot by stimulating the peroneal nerve, which lifts the foot during walking, improving mobility and reducing the risk of tripping.

We have access to a range of FES devices and recommend an assessment to see if it is right for you. FES is only effective when drop is caused by damage or injury to the brain or spinal cord. Unfortunately, it does not work for drop foot caused by problems with a peripheral nerve (i.e. a nerve once it has left the spinal cord. Examples are drop foot related to sciatica, post-operative complications, and Diabetes-related neuropathy.

In addition to our private, NHS funding maybe available to help provide FES. MOTIONrehab operate an NHS Outreach service across the region.

Benefits of FES for Drop Foot

  • Restores More Natural Walking Pattern – Reduces the need for compensatory movements like high-stepping.
  • Reduces Risk of Falls – Improves foot clearance, lowering the chance of tripping.
  • Strengthens Muscles – Prevents muscle wasting by stimulating movement.
  • Improves Confidence and Independence – Helps people walk more comfortably in daily life.
  • Can Reduce Need for Bracing (AFOs) – Some patients may transition away from rigid braces.
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Our Approach

Our approach to neurological rehabilitation is recommended by leading authorities including National Clinic Guidelines, NICE and Cochrane. We are the trusted choice for neurological rehabilitation. At MOTIONrehab, we provide a personalised, evidence-based approach to rehabilitation, empowering you on your journey to recovery. Combining expert hands-on physio with innovative robotic and advanced rehabilitation technology that provides the high repetition that is essential for the optimisation of outcomes. We can improve mobility, hand and arm function and accelerate recovery, and restore quality of life.

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PIONEERS IN THE FIELD

UK’s first Intensive Robotic Neurological Rehabilitation Centre

In April 2018, MOTIONrehab launched the UK’s first Intensive Robotic Neurological Rehabilitation Centre. The centre in Leeds went on to be recognised by the Financial Times, Google and leading European policy makers as one of the Top 100 companies for digital innovation in the rehabilitation sector.

Following the success of MOTIONrehab’s Intensive Robotic Neurological Rehabilitation Centre in Leeds and after seeing such positive outcomes for its clients MOTIONrehab launched a second Intensive Robotic Neurological Rehabilitation Centre in Hull during December 2020 and a third in March 2024. MOTIONrehab’s Intensive Neurological Rehabilitation Centres accepts national and international referrals and are International Reference Centres for treatment, teaching and research.

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FOOT DROP REHABILITATION

Frequently Asked Questions

Drop foot (or foot drop) is a condition where it becomes difficult to lift the front part of the foot due to weakness or paralysis of the muscles that control dorsiflexion (lifting the foot upward). This can cause difficulty walking and increase the risk of tripping or falling.

Drop foot can be caused by a range of neurological, muscular, or anatomical issues, including:

  • Stroke
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Peripheral nerve injury (e.g., peroneal nerve damage)
  • Motor neurone disease
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Brain injury

Common symptoms include:

  • Dragging the toes while walking
  • Lifting the leg higher than usual to compensate (steppage gait)
  • Slapping the foot down with each step
  • Numbness or tingling in the foot or leg

FES is a treatment that uses small electrical impulses to activate the nerves and muscles that lift the foot during walking. Electrodes are placed on the skin, typically around the peroneal nerve (nerve supplying the muscles of the shin that lift the foot during walkng), to stimulate movement and improve walking patterns.

FES helps restore more natural walking by:

  • Lifting the foot during the swing phase of walking
  • Reducing the risk of tripping and falling
  • Improving confidence, speed, and endurance
  • Potentially preventing secondary complications like joint stiffness

FES is often used for people with drop foot caused by injury, illness or disease of either the brain or the spinal cord. Unfortunately, it does not work if there is damage to the peripheral nerve (i.e. once the nerve has left the spinal cord).

A clinical assessment is required to determine if FES is appropriate and effective for your specific condition.

Yes, other management options include:

  • Ankle-Foot Orthoses (AFOs): Braces that support the ankle and foot, helping to hold the foot in a stable position while walking can be really effective. There are ‘off-the-shelf’ options, or you may need a bespoke ‘made-to-measure’ splint.  MOTIONrehab can refer you to appropriate colleagues in our rehabilitation network to help get the right AFO for you..
  • Motionrehab are specialist in providing personalised treatment plans to work on  strengthening muscles, improving balance and walking patterns as well as regular stretches to maintain flexibility and prevent contractures.
  • The Robotic Gait Trainers (Lexo, Lyra & Omego) at MOTIONrehab provide an opportunity for task-specific training to help recover function..

Whether drop foot can be cured depends on the underlying cause. In some cases (such as temporary nerve compression), it may resolve over time with treatment. In other cases, long-term management may be necessary to maintain function and mobility.

MOTIONrehab provide NHS Outreach services for FES in our clinic depending on local services and funding you can be referred for treatment at MOTIONrehab on the NHS, however access can vary. Contact 0343 841 0123 or info@motionrehab.co.uk for more information. Additionally, MOTIONrehab also offers privately funded FES options.

At your first appointment, your therapist will take a detailed medical history and discuss your current condition and any relevant background information. A clinical examination will then be carried out, including an assessment of your movement, function, and what you are currently able to do. This helps us build a clear understanding of your needs. Following the assessment, we will work with you to discuss your treatment goals and aims, and use this information to formulate a personalised therapy plan tailored to your specific objectives.

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Our Results Speak For Themselves

Our Clinics

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Leeds

The Clinic at Morley is equipped with a full suite of robotic and advanced rehabilitation technology and ten spacious clinic rooms. Fully accessible with ground floor toileting facilities and free parking.
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Doncaster
Brand NEW!

The clinic at Doncaster is equipped with a full robotics and advanced rehabilitation technology. Fully accessible with ground floor toilet facilities and treatment rooms.
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Hull

Located at Warners Health Club with a large robotic and advanced rehabilitation technology suite, a gym and private patient treatment rooms. Level access to the building with designated parking spaces and disabled access toilet.
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York

Located in Yorkshire Sport Medicine within David Lloyd Gym. Fully accessible with free parking via a code that will be provided by your physiotherapist.
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For more information about how MOTIONrehab can help with Foot Drop Rehabilitation, please feel free to get in touch with us by giving us a call, or alternatively fill out the form here and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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