Injury Diagnosis

The diagnosis of foot drop injury is basically twofold: a physical examination combined with electrical testing will usually isolate the level of injury. The history of onset of the foot drop will generally be straightforward in isolating the proximate cause of paralysis. EMG (electromyogram) testing of the tibialis anterior muscle shows characteristic changes in the electrical activity of the muscle and direct electrical testing of the peroneal nerve itself shows the exact level of the injury.

Injury that occurs closer to the lower leg can be more easily repaired, but higher injuries around the hip and pelvis can be effectively treated by nerve transfers.