How to Fix Foot Drop in MS

Let's talk about how to fix foot drop in MS! Foot drop in MS is typically one of the most prominent symptoms that can lead to challenges when walking. Join me today as I demonstrate what exercise you can do right from home to help fix foot drop in MS!
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These videos do not provide medical advice and are for informational/educational purposes only. The videos are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen in any of our videos.

[@LindaDudiak]

Thank you for your commitment to the MS population.

[@DoctorGretchenHawley]

Always happy to share!

[@drirenesnutritiontidbits2895]

I am tired of wearing out my favorite shoes under the front of my toes. I have been working on left leg weakness for over two years with such a small improvement that it is sometimes discouraging. This was helpful in thinking about just stretching out the tightness several times a day instead of "trying to remember" to do my PT exercises for 30-40 minutes a day.

[@DoctorGretchenHawley]

I'm happy to hear that this was encouraging! I can understand who it would be frustrating, but I hope that you keep up the great work! You got this🙌🏻

[@sheldonlampson6368]

I had a stroke that affected my right side. Thankyou for this help in explaining how to improve my walking!

[@DoctorGretchenHawley]

You're welcome! I'm so glad that you found this content helpful!

[@rojinsamurai1]

Thanks I’ve been dealing with this for a while. I’ve been trying to exercise and stretch but pain has been a distraction from consistency. Appreciate the help

[@DoctorGretchenHawley]

I'm so glad you came across this video and found it helpful!

[@nickdavis3550]

Thank you so much for the link to this video. I love your shorts. Very informative! I just subscribed, thanks again. Ms is challenging as a care giver. So I really do appreciate you!

[@DoctorGretchenHawley]

So happy that you found my channel and are finding the content helpful!☺️

[@henp99]

Shared many times I love your explanations. 3:44

[@DoctorGretchenHawley]

Thank you so much!

[@sallyfrench-c6k]

Need strengthening of my hip is great , still weak in left foot and leg, so I can get into bed without help. Almost there. Had knee surgery then collapsed at home and sent to nursing rehab for 2 months. Walked in and couldn't walk out. Lost 40 lbs and much of my muscles. Had to learn to walk again. Have MS so added to difficulty. Thank you for your videos to add to my continued home PT visits.

[@DoctorGretchenHawley]

Thank you for sharing a bit of your story with me! I'm happy to hear that you are not only enjoying the content shared, but are also incorporating it into your routine! Great job!!🙌🏻☺️

[@user-bq4tc6zc3f]

Hi...love your help...I started with some knee lifts while sitting....I didnt realize how tight my quads were...I exercise a lot but thank you for your encouragement...idk if it's possible but a fitness routine fir all ms leg weakness would be ideal...ie... a 20 minute workout for example...thxs🎉

[@DoctorGretchenHawley]

So glad that you enjoyed the post! I actually created a whole program filled with exercises for improving strength, balance, mobility, and more! It's called The MSing Link, and if you're interested you can check out more information via this link here: www.doctorgretchenhawley.com/TheMSingLink

[@patmcgrath1227]

I try stretching but my toes are starting to curl. Need your book on where to focus. Spasticity foot drop, ms at night splint or boots. ❤ your support and knowledge

[@DoctorGretchenHawley]

You got it! You can find all the information on how you can grab a copy of The MSing Link book here: www.drgretchenhawley.com/the-msing-link-book

[@kathleendonahue5955]

Hi Dr. Gretchen, thank you so much for all the wonderful things you do for everyone that gets to watch your videos I noticed there was a black Friday sale, I guess I did not get on board quickly enough as today is Saturday, November 25 2023 and I don’t see where I can sign up for that. Is that still going on?

[@DoctorGretchenHawley]

Great question - I do have a Cyber Monday deal running currently that you might be interested in! I'll share the link with you so that you can check it out! www.doctorgretchenhawley.com/offers/pFiwHzVd/checkout?coupon_code=HAPPYHOLIDAYS2023

[@Leonard_Wilson]

I’ve been struggling with foot drop. However, I don’t have MS. I have chronic tight calves. I’m cautiously optimistic that these exercises will help.

[@traditionalgirl3943]

I take Licorice Peony (Chinese Herb blend) for years because it relaxes nerves and muscles. I buy it on the internet. It has helped me so much with spasticity and restless legs. 👍

[@Leonard_Wilson]

@@traditionalgirl3943 I'll check it out. Thanks.

[@DoctorGretchenHawley]

I hope that they prove useful for you!☺️

[@wendyt5003]

Thank you

[@DoctorGretchenHawley]

You're very welcome!

[@karenm2350]

I used to call it 'floppy foot' in the early days before my diagnosis 😅 Your exercises are really helping, even tho it has only been a few weeks! (eg it's easier for me to pop the sock on my right foot.)

[@DoctorGretchenHawley]

That's awesome!! I'm so happy to hear that!

[@aticrochet]

Hi, Can foot drop in MS be improved with exercise?

[@DoctorGretchenHawley]

Many of my clients who have the goal of improving foot drop have seen improvements through The MSing Link program, and even the exercises + stretches shared on my social media!

[@joematty1353]

I never heard of Footslap before but that's exactly what I have when i wear normal shoes and sneakers and i have footdrop when i wear lite canvas sneakers or a pair of crocks. I have a pair or Martial arts canvas sneakers called Kwons that i love. Thanks so much for this video and the exercises that you showed us! I have a question for you so when I land my foot on the floor should I try my best to land with my heel first? Thanks again for your videos!

[@DoctorGretchenHawley]

Great question! Yes, when you are taking a step forward it is important to try and land w/ your heel first, and have control when putting the rest of the foot on the ground (instead of the toes "slapping" down). This can be practiced as an exercise by placing something such as a coaster, book, or other item about the width of your normal gait stride away from you, lifting your foot, and tapping it with your heel. You could even use a specific spot on a carpet with a pattern. You can to be very specific w/ the spot you are aiming for, and hit it each time.

[@joematty1353]

@@DoctorGretchenHawley Great stuff! Thanks so much! Have a Happy Thanksgiving with your family!

[@BTFearr]

I have it as a result of MS. With me, the right leg hamstring works at like a 10% capacity. Do you have a video that addresses the hamstring issue causing Foot Drop?

[@DoctorGretchenHawley]

Foot drop is caused by weakened muscles in the ankle. However, hamstring weakness/tightness can contribute to not lifting the leg high enough for the foot to clear the floor. Here's a Short with some of my favorite hip strengthening exercises that I think you'll find helpful! ☺️ kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYWQlpWGmK5qbbssi=bGmSnK6mgCrhWnOk

[@keshavamurthy2585]

Hello mam I had a stroke in 2023 oct thalamic bleed right brain affecting my left limbs. Now I can walk, can I share my walking video and if possible can you pls suggest exercises to improve?

[@DoctorGretchenHawley]

Hey there! If you are intersted in working together, please check out my website to find which program or course could be the best fit for you! ☺️ www.drgretchenhawley.com

[@maryamjamimansoor8919]

Hi madam it looks easy but in my situation I can't move am on bed n wheelchair since years😢 please give me a solution to be strong 🙏

[@lauracarlson9260]

What has to be checked is if you have foot drop where you toe can't lift vs "tone" or spasticity in your calf. I had PT for "footdrop" for a year, had an AFO, etc, etc, ended up with a hip replacement from a shredded hip labrum and damage to my hip when in reality I had tone in my calf. I likely had some drop as well but the major problem was spasticity. Thankfully I now have a PT with better neuro training. I get 100 units of botox into my calf and back of thigh quarterly and am doing better...but this should be checked...not all of what people think is Foot Drop truly is

[@DoctorGretchenHawley]

Thank you for sharing your experience

[@stressfreeveterans]

I have right foot drop and spasms.Now i use a bioness and pt ordered me a AFO because my ankle is so weak that it falls to the right.

[@DoctorGretchenHawley]

I hope that you are finding the bioness, and AFO helpful! And that some of these exercises shared on my page can be helpful in regaining some strength & function☺️

[@sugarrain5923]

Super erklärt, vielen lieben Dank für deine Bemühungen. Habe die drei Varianten zusammen 🙈

[@DoctorGretchenHawley]

You're very welcome! ☺️

[@lolitacarosi6349]

I have the Cadense shoes and I'm wearing out the toes.

[@mohamedtahil1495]

I have spasticity from hips which is restricting me to even stand on my own... What to do? Please help

[@DoctorGretchenHawley]

Great question - I have an full length exercise class on my page for the hip, as well as a stretching class! I would suggest checking them out.

[@gloriarevis6714]

My foot drop is so bad that when sitting I can't raise my feet off the floor, I can only pick up my leg.

[@DoctorGretchenHawley]

Thank you for sharing! I have a few clients who have a similar challenge they are working toward improving. It's important to continue to attempt the movement, focusing on the muscles you want to fire to let your brain recognize this neural pathway needs strengthened, or a a new one needs to be created☺️

[@mahergeorges]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@DoctorGretchenHawley]

Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@traditionalgirl3943]

I am able to lift my knee and thereby compensate for foot drop if I stimulate my foot by a little pain by scraping it on the ground or touching cold grass. I know I need to work on plasticity to make pathways to walk normally but I am hoping that it will still strengthen my thigh muscles. Will it work against me or for me? What do you think? Also, I can’t lift my foot one bit for the exercise, though I can press down my toes, (I think I can do it when I walk because I use my hip.) so do I just “think it” to hopefully start a pathway eventually? 🙂❤️🌷

[@DoctorGretchenHawley]

Those are great questions! I think that you'll be able to find this podcast episode that I did on foot drop really helpful! You can find that link here: open.spotify.com/episode/4nyzvtmMKfuFxmzJiK485d?si=AE4jbaPGS4q3R9WOl1I9jA

[@scores718]

BRing actual volunteer with ms foot drop and let us see reality

[@DoctorGretchenHawley]

I have a full playlist on my page titled client testimonials where you can hear real life clients share their experiences using the techniques shared in this video!

[@willamrogers4436]

I have been told I have foot drop for my calf will not relax and let me heal hit the floor stretch in the cab is the only option

[@lolitakaloustianyoung7787]

Thank you.

[@DoctorGretchenHawley]

Always happy to share!