Peroneal Neuropathy and Foot Drop

What Happens When the Peroneal Nerve is Damaged?

Do you know someone who has ever lifted their leg and find that they cannot control the movement of their foot to the point that it seems like it has weakened totally? Does it seem like their foot will, in any minute, drop to the floor? Well, this condition is called foot drop. It is a disorder caused by peripheral neuropathy in feet, specifically peroneal neuropathy.

The peroneal nerve is the nerve which brings sensation to the feet, calves and toes. When it becomes damaged due to neuropathy, the muscles which are built around it are not able to withstand the gravity. Because of this, the foot becomes weakened and succumbs to the pull. People who experience this are not able to walk well because they have lost control of their feet.

Basically, when a person has a foot drop problem, their ankles and toes turns upward and causes an abnormality. The damage of the peroneal nerve can be caused by sicknesses which cause peripheral neuropathy, like diabetes and also, accidents. These unwanted accidents occur due to trauma to the thigh and even the knee. With this, the nerve at hand is easily damaged.

How Can Peroneal Neuropathy Go Away?

Peroneal Neuropathy can actually cause paralysis and also loss of muscle control, tone and mass. Just like any other neuropathy, one should focus on determining its cause. If it is caused by sicknesses, one should prioritize healing the disorder first and then the nerve damage. Fruits and vegetable are effective sources of nutrients which can stimulate the recovery of damaged nerves.

However, if the neuropathy is caused by severe trauma, there are special instruments to be used such as foot or ankle braces and special footwear. These can help the leg and foot connect and give patients an easier time to move. If the condition is not that serious, it may disappear after a period of time.

If the condition worsens, there are surgeries which involve nerve transfer that can be done. Unfortunately, these are all new and may not be available in many countries around the world. All in all, a person should definitely be careful when moving. The peroneal nerve is actually prone to trauma compared to the other nerves in the body. Therefore, anyone is prone to having peroneal neuropathy and foot drop.