Consequences of the foot lifter paresis | Exercises for a foot lifter paresis

Consequences of the foot lifter paresis

Permanent damage to the nerve results in a complete paralysis of the musculature, which leads to a so-called atrophy in the lower leg. The atrophy is accompanied by a decrease in muscle cells and an altered appearance of the lower leg due to the absence of muscle bellies. A gap on the front lateral side of the lower leg is impressive.

Weakness of dorsiflexion of the foot is particularly problematic in gait. Evasive mechanisms are used to lift the foot above the ground and guide it safely forward. Those affected try to compensate for this deficit, for example, with the so-called stepper gait.

This involves raising the knee in order to create enough distance between the ground and the foot to place the foot safely forwards. Patients with a weakness of foot dorsiflexion have an increased risk of falling and falling tendency! Malpositioning of the ankle joint can also occur.

The strong calf muscles now outweigh the muscles of the foot lifter, which are located at the front of the lower leg. The result is a so-called muscular imbalance. The foot is constantly held in a flexion position (the heel is pulled in the direction of the calf), often it also deviates inwards.This joint position can also stiffen.

This is called a contracture. A foot lifter paresis can be complete or incomplete, as well as reversible or non-reversible, depending on the cause of the damage and the severity of the lesion. and ankle instability.

Which nerves are affected?