The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
Foot drop surgery
- Rated ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ by 97% of orthopaedic patients
- No.1 in London for private orthopaedic care
- Specialist foot and ankle consultants
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FOOT DROP SURGERY AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
With HCA UK you’ll be looked after by consultants who specialise in treating conditions of the foot and ankle, in state-of-the-art facilities dedicated to your care. Our orthopaedic team comprises expert consultants from across 10 specialist fields, with the latest imaging technology at hand to accurately diagnose your condition and the experience to tailor your treatment.
You’ll be seen by a consultant in as little as 24 hours and if you need a scan, we’ll arrange it for the same day. With a higher proportion of 'Outstanding' ratings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) than any other private healthcare group in the UK, no wonder 97% of patients would recommend us to family and friends.
You’ll be seen by a consultant in as little as 24 hours and if you need a scan, we’ll arrange it for the same day. With a higher proportion of 'Outstanding' ratings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) than any other private healthcare group in the UK, no wonder 97% of patients would recommend us to family and friends.
If you have foot drop, you’ll have difficulty lifting the front part of your foot, meaning that it will drag along the ground when you walk with your natural gait. Foot drop is sometimes a temporary condition, but it can also be permanent requiring you to support your ankle and foot with a brace.
Concerned that you might have foot drop?
Common causes are:
- Injury to the common peroneal nerve, which is the branch of the sciatic nerve supplying the muscles in the front of your leg - typically as the result of a knee injury or sitting cross legged for prolonged periods
- Trauma to the tendons of your feet as the result of an ankle injury
- A sciatic nerve injury from a prolapsed disc or following a procedure such as a hip replacement
- Neurological damage as the result of a stroke or a condition such cerebral palsy, spina bifida or muscular dystrophy - often the cause of foot drop in children
Foot drop can affect one or both feet, depending on the underlaying cause. It’s characterised by:
- Difficulty lifting the front part of your foot
- A very high step gait, raising your leg overly high when walking, so that your foot slaps down on the floor with each step
- Numbness in the top of your foot and in your toes
- Tripping more than usual or generally feel unsteady
If the symptoms are picked up early and the cause is a nerve injury, then we might be able to explore the nerve and address the problem directly. We’d recommend seeing our nerve specialists.
If the problem is long standing and irreversible then two common surgical procedures are used to treat foot drop, both performed under general anaesthetic:
- Tendon transfer: A working muscle and tendon is transferred from elsewhere in your body to replace the muscles and tendons that aren’t working. Your specialist will discuss which are best to transfer as there are lots of options.
- Fusion surgery: Your surgeon will fuse your ankle and foot bones together to stabilise the area. Sometimes your Achilles tendon can be lengthened to bring your foot and ankle up to a more normal position.
No.1
in London for private orthopaedic care
10
specialist orthopaedic fields offering highly personalised treatment
97%
of our patients would recommend us to family and friends
See an orthopaedic specialist within 24 hours
Specialist foot and ankle consultants
State-of-the-art diagnostics
FOOT DROP SURGERY PROCESS
What to expect
At HCA UK, we’re leaders in private orthopaedic care and proud to be the No.1 in London. Our expert teams are here to help quickly diagnosis and treat your condition, helping to restore foot function, including using advanced surgical tendon transfer techniques.
01
Initial consultation
Your consultant will conduct a full physical examination and ask about the symptoms you’re experiencing. to ensure you get the right diagnosis and treatment.
02
Investigations and diagnosis
Unrivalled experience and state-of-the-art facilities mean you’re in the best place to get an accurate diagnosis. Your specialist will take a full medical history, examine the muscles and nerves in your feet and legs and may use Electromyography (EMG) or a nerve conduction test to diagnosis your condition, getting results back to you in as little as 48 hours.
03
Treatment
If your consultant thinks surgery is the best course of treatment for you, they’ll recommend that you either have a tendon transfer to replace the muscles and tendons that aren’t working in your foot or fusion surgery to fuse your ankle and foot bones together to stabilise the area. Both operations happen under general anaesthetic.
04
Aftercare
You’ll wake up from surgery with a splint on your ankle which will help to keep your foot and ankle in place and protect the affected area. You’ll need to keep your leg elevated for a couple of weeks to reduce swelling and wear a cast for about six weeks after your stitches are removed. You’ll be helped to build strength with a course of physiotherapy and your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual routine, depending on how your personal recovery progresses.
Where can I access foot drop surgery?
You can access HCA UK’s specialist orthopaedic services in our renowned hospitals in London and Cheshire and in our flagship Birmingham hospital, The Harborne. Across hospitals and treatment centres, you’ll have access to some of the country’s most respected experts who can help, from initial consultation through to treatment and next steps.
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll give you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
FAQs
Surgery is only advised when the traumatic event causing the neurological damage has stopped, meaning that no further injury is likely to happen to the affected nerve.
If the symptoms are picked up early and the cause is a nerve injury, then it might be possible to explore the nerve and address the problem directly. If you are concerned about a nerve issue causing foot drop then we recommend seeing our nerve specialists.
Find a foot specialist
If the symptoms are picked up early and the cause is a nerve injury, then it might be possible to explore the nerve and address the problem directly. If you are concerned about a nerve issue causing foot drop then we recommend seeing our nerve specialists.
Find a foot specialist
Before recommending surgery, your specialist team may try to help you manage your condition through a combination of self-care techniques and lifestyle changes:
- Braces, splints, and shoe inserts can help support your foot, keeping it in a normal position, improving your mobility and correcting your gait.
- Physiotherapy can help stretch and strengthen the muscles in your foot and leg and help you maintain motion in your knee and ankle. Nerve stimulation using a simple electric device can also help to retrain your foot nerves and muscles.
You’ll be advised to keep your leg elevated for a couple of weeks to reduce swelling and you’ll need to wear a cast for about six weeks. With physiotherapy, you should then be able to get back to your usual routine. Your consultant will advise you, depending on your personal case and recovery.
Our patients’ foot stories
A cure for ankle pain: Jane’s road to recovery
When Jane first injured her ankle, the pain was horrendous. However, showing incredible strength of will and character, she strapped it up and carried on as best she could until she got around to having surgery - more than two decades later!
Looking through the keyhole at bunions and foot health – Marinella’s story
For finance professional, Marinella, from Tunbridge Wells in Kent, ongoing pain in her feet and a change in their appearance prompted her to seek answers
Glynis is bowled over by her new ankle
A 42-year-old Glynis was enjoying a night out, on the dancefloor of a London hotel. All was well, but one tiny movement was about to have a huge impact on her life.
“I count myself exceedingly lucky that Mr Goldberg persevered. He knew about my lifestyle, he knew I've got arthritis in other parts of my foot. He understood and wanted to give me as much mobility as he possibly could.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.