Foot Drop : Differentials

Foot drop can result from:

1. L5 radiculopathies
2. Lumbar plexopathies
3. Lesions of the lumbosacral trunk of the lumbosacral plexus
4. Sciatic neuropathies
5. Common peroneal neuropathies

	L5 radiculopathy	Lumbar plexopathy	Sciatic neuropathy	Peroneal neuropathy
Causes	Disc herniation, Spinal canal stenosis	Pelvic surgery, hematoma, prolonged labor	Hip surgery, Injection injury	Compression/trauma
Motor	Weakness includes muscles and hip abductors	Weakness includes hip abductors and anal sphincter	Weakness includes tibial and hamstring muscles	Weakness restricted to peroneal muscles
Ankle inversion	Weak	Weak	Normal or weak	Normal
Plantar flexion	Normal	Normal	Normal or weak	Normal
Toe flexion	Weak	Weak	Normal or weak	Normal
Ankle jerk	Normal (Weak with S1 involvement)	Normal (Weak with S1 involvement)	Normal or depressed	Normal
Sensory loss	Poorly demarcated, predominantly big toe	L5 dermatome	Lower 2/3 of lateral leg and dorsum of foot	Lower 2/3 of lateral leg and dorsum of foot
Pain	Common, radicular	Common, may be radicular	Can be severe	Rare