Other brain, nerve, and muscle conditions may also cause foot drop.
A rupture of the anterior tibialis tendon could also cause foot drop.
The peroneal nerve innervates multiple muscles, including theanterior tibialis(also called the tibialis anterior).
Ben Goldstein
Strengthening the anterior tibialis muscle may help in addition to correcting the underlying cause of the nerve injury.
It uses your own body weight to stretch your ankles while you are in a stable kneeling position.
To do a standing tibialis anterior stretch:
The lower you lower your body, the greater the stretch.
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Sitting also affords you the stability needed to exert more controlled downward force on the foot.
Resisted Ankle Flexion
This seated exercise requires a chair and a resistance band.
It helps strengthen the ankle.
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To do resisted ankle flexion:
Wall Toe Raise
This standing exercise also requires a resistance band.
This exercise isolates the tibialis anterior muscle and helps strengthen the ankle.
It is best done near a wall where you might reach over in case you feel unsteady.
Photo: Ben Goldstein / Model: Melissa Castro
To do the heel walk:
This exercise can be painful for people with tender heels.
These exercises strengthen the muscle under gentle resistance and can be performed at home as part of aphysical therapyprogram.
A basic at-home exercise program only requires a chair, elastic band, and cuff weights.
These can be readily found online or at most sporting goods stores.
