286. Foot Drop Explained

From The MSing Link by Dr. Gretchen Hawley PT, DPT, MSCS

May 27, 2026 · 20 min · Season 1

About this episode

This episode explains foot drop in relation to multiple sclerosis and provides practical guidance on exercises and supportive devices.

If MS has ever made your toe catch on the carpet, or you've felt that frustrating slap of your foot hitting the floor before you meant it to… this episode is for you. I'm walking you through what foot drop actually is, why it happens with multiple sclerosis (MS), and how it shows up in your walking and your fall risk. As an MS-specialized physical therapist, I'm breaking down the most common causes I see in my members — weakness in the ankle muscles, tight calves, sensory changes, and limited ankle range of motion. Each one matters, and each one responds to a slightly different approach. You'll learn specific exercises to strengthen the right muscles, stretches that actually move the needle, and sensory tools that help reconnect the connection between your brain and your foot. I'm also covering the products people ask me about all the time — insoles, AFOs (ankle-foot orthoses), and electrical stimulation, and how to know which might be a good fit for you. Here's the piece most people miss… supportive devices work best when they're paired with the right strength work. One without the other leaves progress on the table. I'll show you how to combine them so the changes you're…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Gretchen Hawley

Topics covered

foot drop
multiple sclerosis
ankle strength
fall risk
physical therapy
exercises
supportive devices

Keywords

foot drop
multiple sclerosis
ankle muscles
exercises
fall risk
sensory tools
supportive devices

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: DRGRETCHEN10

Products: Cadence shoes, AFOs (ankle-foot orthoses), electrical stimulation