[Treatment Options for Neurogenic Drop Foot: A Systematic Literature Research]

Abstract

Background Neurogenic drop foot may be caused by central or peripheral lesions of the nervous system. Depending on whether the first or second motor neuron is damaged, a flaccid or spastic drop foot develops. Spastic drop foot persists as a residual long-term complication after stroke in about 14 % of patients. Various conservative and surgical treatment options are available. Methods This article is based on a systematic literature review for medical evidence of functional electrical stimulation (FES) with the keywords "functional electrical stimulation AND drop foot" and "functional electrical stimulation AND gait AND stroke" in PubMed and Cochrane databases. Randomised controlled trials and cohort studies of the past 10 years were selected according to specific criteria. Additionally, four guidelines were included. Results Current guidelines provide little guidance for practical treatment and fail to give due consideration to new surgical procedures such as neural implants. In 18 randomised controlled trials on FES in stroke patients with drop foot, the FES-treated population showed either significant superiority or non-inferiority versus control. Two cohort studies confirmed significant improvements by FES. Conclusion The analysis demonstrates the importance of considering causes and severity of drop foot as well as patients' pre- and post-operative conditions for choosing treatment options. For active, high-demand patients, neural implants are valuable treatment options.