Can You Walk Long Distances With Foot Drop or an AFO?

Many people with foot drop can walk longer distances, particularly when they use a suitable ankle-foot orthosis, supportive footwear and an appropriate pacing strategy.

However, there is no universal distance that everyone with foot drop should be able to walk.

For one person, a longer walk may mean:

• Walking around a supermarket
• Reaching a local bus stop
• Completing a ten-minute outdoor route
• Walking through a hospital
• Attending a shopping centre

For someone else, it may mean:

• A longer recreational walk
• A full working day on their feet
• Several kilometres on a level route
• A countryside path
• A day involving repeated short journeys

The safe and realistic distance depends on:

• Why the foot drop developed
• How much active movement remains
• Whether one or both feet are affected
• Balance
• Sensation
• Ankle movement
• Knee and hip control
• Muscle tone or spasticity
• Cardiovascular fitness
• Fatigue
• Terrain
• Weather
• Footwear
• The type and fit of the AFO
• Access to rest points
• Whether a walking aid is needed

An AFO may improve the position of the foot, but it cannot replace strength, balance, endurance or control elsewhere in the body.

Why Can Foot Drop Make Longer Walks Difficult?

Foot drop makes it difficult to lift the front of the foot and toes during the swing phase of walking.

The person may compensate by:

• Lifting the knee higher
• Lifting the hip
• Swinging the leg outwards
• Leaning the trunk
• Taking shorter steps
• Walking more slowly
• Watching the floor continuously

These compensations may require additional effort and can become harder to maintain as the walk continues.

Foot drop also raises the risk of trips because the toes may catch on the ground, rugs, steps or changes in surface height. The NHS advises supportive footwear, walking aids where needed and reducing environmental hazards.

How Can an AFO Help During a Longer Walk?

Depending on its design, an AFO may help by:

• Assisting dorsiflexion
• Holding the front of the foot in a more suitable position
• Limiting excessive downward ankle movement
• Improving toe clearance
• Stabilising the ankle
• Providing some side-to-side control
• Influencing knee position
• Creating a more consistent foot placement
• Reducing repeated shoe scuffing

AFOs support the foot and ankle and may also influence the knee and hip, making standing, balance and walking easier for an appropriate wearer.

The effect varies between:

• Textile lifting supports
• Plastic leaf-spring AFOs
• Reinforced plastic AFOs
• Carbon-fibre AFOs
• Rigid AFOs
• Hinged or dynamic AFOs
• Custom-made devices

A brace should be selected according to the complete walking pattern rather than simply choosing the lightest or strongest product.

Can an AFO Reduce the Effort of Walking?

A suitably selected AFO may make walking feel more efficient by improving foot positioning and reducing the need for exaggerated compensatory movements.

However, the result depends on:

• Brace stiffness
• Footplate design
• Ankle angle
• Shoe combination
• Knee control
• Hip strength
• Walking speed
• The underlying diagnosis

A brace that improves toe clearance but causes greater knee effort or restricts forward movement may not make a longer walk easier overall.

The Carbon Ankle Foot Orthosis uses pre-loaded carbon fibre intended to store energy during stance and release it towards toe-off to assist forward progression. This is a product-design feature rather than a guarantee that every user will walk further or use less energy.

Begin With a Distance You Can Complete Safely

Before increasing your distance, identify a route you can already manage without:

• Repeated toe catching
• Significant deterioration in balance
• Severe fatigue
• Increasing knee instability
• Brace movement
• Pain
• Skin damage
• Numbness
• Swelling

This becomes your current safe starting point.

Do not base your starting distance on:

• What you could walk before developing foot drop
• How far another AFO user walks
• A target from a fitness tracker
• The maximum distance you can complete only by pushing through symptoms
• A route with no place to stop

The starting point should feel controlled and repeatable rather than being the absolute limit of your ability.

Increase Walking Gradually

Build up distance, duration or terrain gradually rather than changing everything at once.

For example, you might increase:

• The total time walking
• The route length
• The number of outings
• The number of short hills
• The time spent on your feet

Change one main factor at a time.

Do not increase the:

• Distance
• Speed
• Terrain difficulty
• Number of hills
• Amount carried

all during the same walk.

Official NHS AFO guidance recommends beginning with short periods and gradually building up while the skin and body adapt to the device. Your orthotist may provide a different wearing schedule for your individual brace.

Do Not Wait Until You Are Exhausted To Rest

A planned rest is generally more useful than waiting until toe clearance, balance or walking technique has already deteriorated.

Fatigue may affect:

• Ankle lifting
• Knee bending
• Hip movement
• Balance
• Attention
• Foot placement
• Reaction time
• Spasticity
• The ability to use a walking aid correctly

NHS neurological fatigue guidance commonly recommends pacing activities, breaking them into manageable sections and scheduling rest rather than continuing until complete exhaustion.

Plan rest points such as:

• A bench
• A café
• A sheltered seating area
• A known bus stop
• A suitable indoor location
• A parked car where another person is driving

Do not rely on being able to find somewhere appropriate after you have already become unsteady.

How Can You Tell When Fatigue Is Affecting Foot Drop?

Signs may include:

• The toes beginning to scuff
• The foot dropping more noticeably
• Greater high stepping
• The leg swinging further outwards
• Shorter steps
• Slower walking
• Increased leaning
• The knee becoming less stable
• More frequent use of the handrail or walking aid
• The brace feeling less effective
• Reduced concentration
• More difficulty turning

Some people can lift the foot successfully at the beginning of an activity but lose control after repeated steps. Foot-drop assessment should therefore consider repeated movement and real walking demands, not only a single ankle movement while seated.

Stop and rest before these changes become severe.

Check the Brace Before Starting

Before a longer walk, confirm that:

• You have the correct brace and side
• The device is undamaged
• The heel is fully seated
• The foot is centred
• The calf or ankle cuff is level
• Every strap lies flat
• No fastening is partly open
• The footplate sits correctly inside the shoe
• The footwear attachment is secure
• Textile lifting straps have not stretched
• The shoe fastens properly
• No skin damage is already present

Do not start a longer route when the support is already:

• Slipping
• Rotating
• Rubbing
• Cracked
• Frayed
• Providing poor toe clearance
• Causing pain or numbness

A small fit problem at the start can become much more noticeable after repeated steps.

Wear the Brace for Shorter Walks First

Do not make a long outdoor walk the first test of a new AFO.

Begin by using it:

• Around the home where appropriate
• On short level walks
• During a familiar daily activity
• In a supervised rehabilitation environment
• On a route with easy access to seating

Oxford University Hospitals advises introducing a new AFO for short periods, building up gradually and checking for pressure or rubbing.

Only increase the walking demand when:

• The brace stays in position
• The skin remains healthy
• The footwear remains comfortable
• Toe clearance remains improved
• The knee feels controlled
• You can put the brace on consistently

Choose Supportive Footwear

Footwear is part of the complete AFO system.

For longer walking, look for:

• An enclosed heel
• An enclosed toe
• Adjustable laces or touch-close fastening
• Adequate width
• Adequate depth
• A stable sole
• Reliable grip
• A firm heel counter
• Enough room for the AFO
• A removable insole where appropriate
• A shoe weight you can manage

NHS AFO guidance recommends wide and deep footwear with secure adjustable fastenings. A trainer or walking shoe is commonly suitable, provided it accommodates the brace without distortion.

Avoid:

• Loose slip-ons
• Backless shoes
• Shallow pumps
• High heels
• Shoes that squeeze the brace
• Oversized shoes that allow movement
• Worn soles
• Footwear with a collapsed heel
• Excessively heavy boots where limb clearance is limited

Do Not Automatically Buy a Much Longer Shoe

An AFO may require more internal room, but choosing a substantially longer shoe can cause:

• The foot to slide forwards
• Heel lift
• Increased brace movement
• Greater toe projection
• The front of the shoe catching the ground
• Reduced stability

The additional space often needs to come from:

• Width
• Depth
• A wider opening
• Adjustable fastening
• A removable insole

rather than unnecessary length.

Take the AFO and your usual sock when trying new footwear.

Use a Smooth, Suitable Sock

A rigid AFO is normally worn over a long, smooth sock or another interface recommended by the orthotics service.

The sock should:

• Extend above every brace edge
• Fit without wrinkles
• Avoid bulky seams
• Remain dry
• Fit securely without excessive compression

A folded or damp sock may create rubbing during a longer walk.

Official NHS guidance recommends wearing socks with an AFO to help protect the skin.

Carry a spare sock where:

• The weather is hot
• Your feet perspire heavily
• The route is long
• Rain is likely
• You have reduced sensation
• The brace uses substantial padding

Do not continue walking with a wet sock or damp brace against the skin.

Which AFO Is Best for Longer Walking?

There is no single best AFO for every long-distance walker.

The suitable design depends on whether the wearer needs:

• Basic dorsiflexion assistance
• Greater resistance to plantarflexion
• Side-to-side stability
• Knee influence
• Energy return
• Accommodation of spasticity
• A custom ankle angle
• A lightweight textile option
• A more rigid structure

Textile foot-drop supports

A textile support may be:

• Lightweight
• Low profile
• Adjustable
• Easier to fit beneath clothing
• Compatible with a wider choice of footwear

It may be less suitable where there is:

• Significant ankle instability
• Strong plantarflexion
• Marked spasticity
• A fixed ankle position
• Major knee involvement
• A need for more structural control

Plastic leaf-spring AFOs

These can provide structured dorsiflexion assistance while remaining relatively lightweight.

Their stiffness and level of side-to-side control vary.

Reinforced AFOs

A reinforced design may provide greater resistance and durability for a suitable wearer, but additional stiffness must match the person’s knee control and ankle movement.

Carbon-fibre AFOs

A carbon AFO may provide:

• Lightweight structural support
• Dorsiflexion assistance
• Energy storage and return
• A slim profile
• Mild side-to-side control, depending on design

A carbon device is not automatically appropriate for significant spasticity, fixed deformity or complex instability.

Custom-made AFOs

A custom device may be needed where:

• Standard sizes do not fit
• Alignment requires more precise control
• The ankle position is restricted
• Skin pressure is difficult to manage
• Significant spasticity is present
• The knee and ankle need coordinated control

Is a Carbon AFO Suitable for Long Walks?

The Carbon Ankle Foot Orthosis, SKU CAFO, may be considered for some people who need structured but lightweight dorsiflexion assistance during everyday walking.

Its current product features include:

• Pre-loaded impregnated carbon fibre
• Consistent dorsiflexion support
• Energy storage during stance
• Energy release towards toe-off
• A spiral carbon design
• A medial strut
• Built-in arch support
• Mild mediolateral control
• A padded hook-and-loop calf closure
• Small, Medium and Large trimmable sizes
• Separate left- and right-foot versions
• Latex-free construction
• A stated 100kg device weight limit

The device may be unsuitable where:

• The wearer exceeds its stated weight limit
• There is significant spasticity
• The ankle is fixed in an incompatible position
• Greater side-to-side control is needed
• The knee requires a different level of influence
• The foot cannot be accommodated safely
• The footwear cannot contain the device

Seek assessment where the walking presentation is complex or the support is intended for substantial daily distances.

Can Boxia® Be Used for Longer Walks?

Boxia® is a low-profile textile support that assists dorsiflexion through an ankle cuff and an adjustable tension strap attached to compatible footwear.

It may suit some people with flaccid foot drop who require dynamic toe-clearance assistance without a rigid footplate.

Before using it over a longer route, check that:

• The cuff remains level
• The ankle area is comfortable
• The footwear attachment is centred
• The tension strap is not twisted
• The heel remains inside the shoe
• The elastic has not stretched
• The support does not rotate
• Toe clearance remains improved as fatigue develops

A textile lifting system may not provide enough control for significant instability, fixed restriction or strong inward or outward foot movement.

Can StepUp® Be Used for Longer Walks?

StepUp® uses soft textile components and adjustable lifting straps to assist toe clearance in flaccid foot drop.

Its low-profile design may suit everyday mobility, but the wearer should monitor:

• Calf-band movement
• Strap tension
• Foot-component position
• Heat and moisture
• Skin beneath silicone areas
• Toe clearance later in the walk
• Side-to-side foot movement
• Footwear fit where shoes are used

Soft construction does not remove the need for gradual introduction, skin checks and appropriate clinical selection.

Can You Walk Long Distances Without an AFO?

Some people can walk without their brace for short or familiar distances but require it for longer journeys.

Whether walking without it is appropriate depends on:

• Toe clearance
• Balance
• Falls history
• Knee control
• Terrain
• Fatigue
• The reason the brace was prescribed
• Whether the weakness is improving
• Whether another walking aid is used

Do not stop using a prescribed AFO purely to strengthen the leg or test independence over a long route.

Discuss unsupported walking with the relevant clinician where the brace was professionally supplied.

Should You Use a Walking Stick, Crutch or Frame?

A walking aid may improve balance or reduce the risk of falling, but it should be the correct type and height and used with an appropriate technique.

The NHS recommends considering a walking aid where foot drop creates a trip or fall risk.

Do not stop using a prescribed walking aid because the AFO improves toe clearance.

The brace and walking aid may address different problems:

• The AFO may improve foot position
• The walking aid may improve balance or weight transfer

A physiotherapist can check how the two work together.

Plan the Route Before You Leave

For a longer walk, consider:

• Total distance
• Surface quality
• Hills
• Steps
• Kerbs
• Available seating
• Toilets
• Lighting
• Weather
• Mobile-phone signal
• Public transport
• An alternative shorter route
• Whether another person will be present

Choose a route where you can shorten the journey if:

• Fatigue develops
• The brace begins rubbing
• The weather changes
• Toe catching increases
• The knee becomes unstable

An out-and-back route can leave you furthest from home at the point when you become tired. A circular route close to transport, seating or home may be easier to manage.

Walk With Someone Initially

A companion may be helpful when:

• The AFO is new
• The route is unfamiliar
• You have previously fallen
• Symptoms worsen with fatigue
• You have reduced sensation
• Both feet are affected
• The terrain is uneven
• The underlying condition fluctuates

The companion should not pull the person forwards or hold the affected arm without instruction.

Where hands-on assistance is needed, a physiotherapist should demonstrate a safe method.

Carry a Phone or Personal Alarm

The NHS recommends carrying a mobile phone or wearing a personal alarm where there is a risk of falls.

Keep it somewhere accessible rather than at the bottom of a bag.

Also consider carrying:

• Emergency contact details
• Relevant medical information
• A small amount of water
• A spare sock
• Any required medication
• A suitable outer layer
• A compact brace instruction card

Do not carry a heavy bag that changes balance or causes the body to lean.

Use a Suitable Bag

A cross-body bag or small backpack may leave the hands available for:

• A walking stick
• A crutch
• Handrails
• Balance reactions

Avoid:

• Heavy shopping bags
• An uneven load in one hand
• Bags hanging near the brace
• Long straps that could catch
• Carrying more as the walk progresses

Where shopping is the purpose of the journey, consider:

• A trolley approved for your balance needs
• Delivery
• Smaller loads
• Assistance
• Multiple shorter trips

Take Care on Uneven Ground

Longer outdoor walks may involve:

• Gravel
• Grass
• Tree roots
• Slopes
• Broken pavements
• Mud
• Leaves
• Uneven stones
• Sand

These surfaces require more:

• Toe clearance
• Ankle adaptation
• Balance
• Hip and knee control
• Attention

A brace that works well on a clinic floor may not provide the same confidence on uneven ground.

Progress from:

1. Smooth indoor ground
2. Level pavements
3. Slightly variable but maintained paths
4. More challenging terrain only after assessment and practice

Do not begin with a difficult route solely because the AFO feels secure on level ground.

Are Hills More Difficult With an AFO?

They can be.

Walking uphill requires:

• Greater hip and knee movement
• Toe clearance
• Forward progression
• Ankle control

Walking downhill requires:

• Controlled lowering
• Balance
• Knee stability
• Reliable foot placement

A rigid or carbon AFO may affect these movements differently from level walking.

Stop if hills cause:

• Heel lift
• Front-of-ankle pressure
• Knee pain
• Knee buckling
• Knee hyperextension
• Loss of balance
• The foot twisting inside the shoe

A physiotherapist may recommend a different technique, pace or walking aid.

What About Long Walks With Stairs or Steps?

A route containing repeated steps is more demanding than the same distance on level ground.

Stairs require additional:

• Toe clearance
• Hip and knee lifting
• Balance
• Controlled descent
• Foot-placement accuracy

Use handrails and the stair sequence taught for you.

Read our guide: Can You Use Stairs With Foot Drop or an AFO?

Do not plan a long route involving multiple staircases until you can manage stairs consistently while fresh.

How Does Heat Affect Longer AFO Wear?

Heat and activity can increase moisture beneath:

• Socks
• Plastic shells
• Calf straps
• Textile cuffs
• Silicone grip areas
• Footwear

Moisture may contribute to:

• Friction
• Skin softening
• Strap movement
• Discomfort
• Odour
• Reduced grip

During warm weather:

• Choose breathable clothing
• Use an appropriate sock
• Carry a spare sock
• Plan shaded rest points
• Inspect the skin
• Allow a damp brace to dry fully
• Avoid leaving the AFO in a hot vehicle

NHS guidance advises keeping AFOs away from heat because excessive temperature can distort or damage orthotic materials.

What if It Rains?

Wet conditions can affect:

• Ground grip
• Footwear
• Socks
• Textile braces
• Fastenings
• Skin
• Visibility

Do not continue a long walk when:

• The shoe has become waterlogged
• The sock is wet
• The brace is slipping
• Grip is poor
• The route has become unsafe

Clean and dry the brace according to its instructions before wearing it again.

Do not place it directly on a radiator or use strong heat unless specifically permitted.

Check the Brace During a Rest

When seated safely, check:

• Calf-cuff position
• Ankle-cuff position
• Heel position
• Strap alignment
• Footwear fastening
• Swelling
• Dampness
• Toe pressure
• Skin discomfort
• Whether the foot is becoming numb

Do not remove a rigid AFO outdoors unless you can put it back on correctly and have a safe alternative way of walking.

Where only a brief check is needed, raising the trouser leg and checking the straps may be sufficient.

Check the Skin After the Walk

Remove the brace, footwear and sock and inspect:

• The heel
• Both ankle bones
• The front of the ankle
• The Achilles area
• The calf
• The top of the foot
• The sides of the foot
• The toes
• Every strap-contact area

Light temporary marks may occur with a close-fitting AFO, but they should begin to fade.

NHS guidance advises seeking review where redness lasts longer than approximately 20 to 30 minutes, the skin breaks down or the brace causes pain, irritation or increased rubbing.

Take Extra Care With Reduced Sensation

Reduced sensation may prevent you from feeling:

• Rubbing
• Pressure
• Heat
• A foreign object inside the shoe
• A folded sock
• A developing blister
• A strap becoming too tight

This may occur with:

• Peripheral neuropathy
• Diabetes
• Nerve injury
• Stroke
• Spinal conditions
• Multiple sclerosis

Check the skin more frequently and use a mirror or ask another person where necessary.

Do not wait for pain before inspecting the foot.

What if the Leg or Foot Swells?

Swelling can alter the fit of:

• The calf strap
• Ankle strap
• Footplate
• Sock
• Shoe
• Textile cuff

Signs include:

• The shoe becoming tight
• Deeper strap marks
• Throbbing
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Toe pressure
• Difficulty removing the brace
• A change in skin colour

Repeated swelling should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

Seek prompt medical advice where swelling is sudden, substantial, painful or associated with a significant change in colour or temperature.

What if Your Toes Start Catching Later in the Walk?

Later toe catching may result from:

• Fatigue
• The brace slipping
• A textile strap stretching
• Swelling
• The heel lifting
• The shoe loosening
• Reduced knee bending
• Reduced hip movement
• Increased spasticity
• A progressing neurological problem

Stop, sit down and check the complete brace-and-footwear system.

Do not simply tighten every strap.

Read our guide: Why Do My Toes Still Catch With a Foot Drop Brace?

Arrange a review if toe catching happens repeatedly despite correct fitting.

What if the Brace Rubs Only on Longer Walks?

A device may feel comfortable during a short fitting but rub after repeated movement.

Possible causes include:

• Moisture
• Swelling
• Heel movement
• A sock wrinkle
• Strap movement
• Footwear becoming tighter
• The brace rotating
• A worn pad
• A pressure point that appears only during a particular part of the gait

Record:

• Where the mark appears
• How far you had walked
• Which shoes you wore
• Whether the route included hills
• Whether the leg had swollen
• How long the mark remained

Take the brace, sock and footwear to the review appointment.

What if the Knee Starts Hurting?

An AFO may influence how the knee moves during walking.

New knee pain may be associated with:

• The brace angle
• AFO stiffness
• Footwear heel height
• Heel lift
• The footplate position
• Knee hyperextension
• The knee bending too much
• Fatigue
• A changed walking pattern

Do not continue increasing the distance while new knee pain is developing.

An orthotist or physiotherapist should assess the brace, footwear and complete gait together.

What if the Hip or Back Starts Hurting?

Hip or back discomfort may develop when the person compensates through:

• High stepping
• Hip hiking
• Swinging the leg outwards
• Leaning
• Taking unequal steps
• Carrying a bag on one side
• Using a walking aid incorrectly

An AFO may reduce some compensatory movement, but it may not fully correct weakness elsewhere in the leg.

Persistent or increasing pain requires review rather than simply reducing the brace tension.

Can You Walk Through Mild Tiredness?

Normal exertion and tiredness can occur during physical activity, but do not continue when fatigue is changing safety or movement quality.

Stop or rest when:

• Toe clearance worsens
• Balance deteriorates
• The knee feels unreliable
• The foot begins turning
• Concentration drops
• You are relying heavily on walls or another person
• The brace becomes uncomfortable
• You are no longer confident that you can complete the route

The aim is to build sustainable mobility, not repeatedly reach the point at which walking becomes unsafe.

When Should You Turn Back?

Turn back or use your alternative transport plan when:

• The route is becoming more difficult than expected
• Weather conditions worsen
• The brace starts moving
• The toes begin catching
• A planned rest is unavailable
• The footwear becomes wet
• Pain, numbness or swelling develops
• The return journey would exceed your remaining capacity
• You are less stable than at the beginning

Do not continue merely to complete a distance goal recorded by a watch or phone.

What if You Fall?

If you fall and may have injured your head, back, neck or hip, or you cannot get up, call 999.

If you may be injured or unwell but it is not an immediate emergency, use NHS 111.

Tell a GP or appropriate healthcare professional about falls or increasing concern regarding balance and mobility. NHS falls services may assess strength, balance, vision, medication, home safety and other contributing factors.

A fall while wearing an AFO does not necessarily mean the brace caused it, but the device, footwear and walking pattern should be reviewed.

Simple Long-Walk Planning Checklist

Before leaving, confirm that:

• The route suits your current ability
• You know where you can rest
• You have an alternative shorter route
• The AFO is undamaged
• The heel is secure
• All straps lie flat
• The footwear fits properly
• The sock is smooth and dry
• Toe clearance improves
• The knee remains stable
• Your walking aid is available where prescribed
• The weather is suitable
• Your phone is accessible
• Someone knows your route where appropriate
• You are not unusually tired
• No skin damage is already present
• You have not recently developed new weakness
• You can still manage the return journey

During the walk:

• Maintain a controlled pace
• Take planned rests
• Monitor toe clearance
• Check the brace if it feels different
• Avoid carrying heavy uneven loads
• Reduce the route if fatigue develops

After the walk:

• Remove the brace
• Inspect the skin
• Check for swelling
• Allow damp components to dry
• Record any repeated difficulty
• Reduce the next walk or seek advice if symptoms persist

Recommended Carbon-Fibre Walking AFO

The Carbon Ankle Foot Orthosis, SKU CAFO, is designed for foot drop, dorsiflexion weakness and suitable presentations involving mild mediolateral instability.

Its features include:

• Pre-loaded carbon-fibre construction
• Consistent dorsiflexion support
• Energy storage during stance
• Energy release towards toe-off
• Assistance with forward propulsion
• A medial strut
• Built-in arch support
• Mild side-to-side control
• Quilted calf padding
• A secure hook-and-loop closure
• Separate left- and right-foot versions
• Small, Medium and Large trimmable sizes
• Latex-free materials
• A stated 100kg device weight limit

It may be considered where lightweight structured support is required, but it must still be:

• Correctly sized
• Used on the correct side
• Accommodated in appropriate footwear
• Matched to the wearer’s ankle range
• Matched to knee control
• Introduced gradually
• Checked for skin pressure

It should not be selected solely because the wearer wants to walk further.

Can Walking Longer Distances Cure Foot Drop?

No.

Walking and rehabilitation may improve fitness, confidence and functional mobility, but an AFO does not repair the nerve, muscle, brain or spinal condition causing foot drop.

Treatment depends on the cause and may include:

• Physiotherapy
• A brace, splint or shoe insert
• Electrical stimulation
• Treatment of nerve compression
• Management of an underlying neurological condition
• Surgery in selected cases

The NHS advises GP assessment when it becomes difficult to lift the front of the foot or toes so the cause and treatment options can be investigated.

When Should You Arrange a Brace Review?

Arrange an orthotic or physiotherapy review when:

• Your walking distance is reducing
• Toe catching worsens with fatigue
• The brace repeatedly slips
• The heel lifts
• The foot turns inwards or outwards
• The knee becomes unstable
• New pain develops
• The brace leaves persistent marks
• The skin becomes damaged
• The device is cracked or worn
• The footwear no longer fits
• Swelling has changed the fit
• The support was effective previously but is no longer helping
• You are falling or having near misses
• You want to progress to substantially longer or more difficult routes

Take your:

• AFO
• Usual socks
• Regular walking footwear
• Walking aid
• Details of the distance and terrain causing difficulty

This allows the complete walking system to be assessed.

When Should Foot Drop Be Medically Reassessed?

Arrange a GP appointment if:

• Foot drop is new
• Weakness is worsening
• Both feet are affected
• Numbness is increasing
• Weakness is spreading up the leg
• You are falling more often
• Walking capacity has changed significantly
• Symptoms followed surgery or injury

Call 999 if sudden weakness occurs with facial drooping, arm weakness or speech difficulty, even if the symptoms improve again.

Seek urgent medical assessment if new foot or leg weakness occurs with:

• Severe or worsening back pain
• Numbness around the genitals, buttocks or inner thighs
• Difficulty starting or controlling urination
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Rapidly worsening weakness

These symptoms may indicate serious pressure on the nerves at the bottom of the spine.