The diagnosis

The diagnosis of foot lifter paresis can usually be made relatively easily. The anamnesis and the clinical picture are often very impressive. The patient describes problems when walking and especially when climbing stairs.

During the physical examination this changed gait pattern is also noticeable. In addition, the reflex of the peroneal nerve can be triggered in a weakened state.The nervus peroneus is the nerve that supplies the muscles of the foot. If this nerve is damaged, the associated reflex is logically almost non-existent.

To confirm the diagnosis, further examinations are available. The measurement of the nerve conduction velocity by electroneurography is particularly suitable for this purpose. The conduction velocity will already be slowed down in case of partial damage. In the search for the cause of foot lifter paresis, further diagnostics, such as imaging, are usually necessary.

The degrees of force during a paresis

To assess muscle strength in the physical examination, a classification into strength levels is used. There are six different strength levels from zero to five. To indicate the correct strength level for a muscle, it is tested against resistance.

The normal strength level is indicated as strength level five of five (5/5). If an active movement of the foot is only possible against slight resistance, then there is already a weakness in the foot muscles, which would be indicated as a slight reduction in strength with a strength level of four out of five (4/5). If the muscle can only be moved against the force of gravity (without further resistance), this is referred to as a reduction in strength with a strength level three of five (3/5).

If the patient can only move the foot against gravity (with no further resistance), the degree of force is two out of five (2/5). A force level one of five (1/5) is present when there is a muscle contraction (visible or palpable) although no movement is possible. In this case, zero strength out of five (0/5) means a complete paralysis of the muscles. No more muscular activity can be detected