Ready to get started “near me”? Twin Boro Physical Therapy in West Orange, New Jersey, employs highly experienced physical therapists, occupational therapists, and certified hand therapists to help West Orange residents achieve their movement goals.
With 42 locations across 13 counties, Twin Boro Physical Therapy is the largest private physical therapy network in New Jersey. At each of our locations, we offer state-of-the-art treatment methods and practices so you can feel confident you are providing yourself with the best care available. While not a comprehensive list, many of our patients benefit from the following services:
- Arthritis Rehabilitation
- Geriatric Rehab
- Hand Therapy
- Neurological Rehabilitation
- Physical Therapy
- Spinal Orthopaedic Rehab
- Sports Rehab / Physical Therapy
- TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder)
- Vestibular Rehabilitation
- Workers’ Compensation
What is foot drop?
Foot drop, also called drop foot or dropped foot, is when you are unable to lift the front of your foot. This can be caused by several things. The most common causes are:
- Injuries to the nerves: The nerve that communicates to the muscles that lift the foot is called the peroneal nerve. When this nerve is damaged, you are unable to send a signal to lift your foot. The peroneal nerve wraps around the shin and the back of the knee, sitting closely to the surface of the skin. Because of how close to the exterior this nerve is, it is easy to damage, making it the most common cause of drop foot. Many people experience injury to this nerve from athletics, childbirth, hip or knee surgery, or everyday activities.
- Muscular disorders: Muscular disorders, such as Lou Gehrig’s disease, muscular dystrophy, and polio can cause weakening and deterioration of the muscles that lift the foot. When this happens, foot drop can occur.
- Neurological disorders: Brain injuries, spinal injuries, multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral palsy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and other neurological disorders can affect your body’s ability to communicate with the nerves in the foot, leading to foot drop.
Foot drop is generally a symptom of a more complex condition, such as a neurological or muscular disorder. If you experience foot drop, your physical therapist will create a rehabilitation plan that is specifically designed to address the symptoms from the root cause of your condition. Foot drop can occur in many stages, and the first symptoms are often related to gait abnormalities. People with early stage foot drop might notice they are dragging their toes more often or are tripping more often when stepping onto higher surfaces.
Not only will your physical therapist work with you to alleviate or lessen symptoms, but they will work with you to identify environmental factors that can increase discomfort. By making small modifications to the home or being aware of certain movements that cause discomfort, many patients are able to significantly decrease frustrations associated with foot drop.
Ready to begin?
Twin Boro Physical Therapy is a leading physical therapy network dedicated to patient success. Many of our expert physical therapists, certified hand therapists, and occupational therapists have over 25 years of experience helping patients with complex conditions minimize their symptoms and improve their quality of life “near me”. For residents in West Orange, New Jersey, contact our Twin Boro Physical Therapy West Orange office today by calling 862.684.4445 or visiting our website.
