When diagnosing foot drop, doctors typically rely on a scale that rates foot mobility from zero to 5; zero referring to complete paralysis and 5 signifying complete foot mobility.
As there are many potential causes of foot drop, a doctor must first pinpoint its underlying source. To diagnose the cause, a typical foot drop diagnostic process includes the following steps:
- A patient history, including the specific foot drop symptoms, past illnesses and use of any medications.
- A physical exam, including an examination of the visual appearance and altered behavior of the affected foot and leg, as well as any signs of muscle atrophy.
- Additional tests including, as needed:
- Imaging studies to examine the surrounding areas of damaged nerves (e.g. an MRI)
- Electrodiagnostic studies (EMG/NCS) to distinguish between the different types of nerve damage
- A blood analysis for a possible metabolic cause like diabetes or alcoholism
- Fasting blood sugar, hemoglobin, and nitrogen and creatinine tests
In This Article:
What Type of Doctor Diagnoses Foot Drop?
Foot drop can be diagnosed by many types of physicians. If the lower back is suspected as a cause, it may be advisable to see a spine specialist, such as a physiatrist, orthopedic surgeon, or neurosurgeon who focuses his or her practice on spine medicine.
Once a cause is determined, various foot drop treatments may be implemented depending on the specific patient's condition.