I don't have foot drop [yet]. But I should have...early on [I have a very agressive Peripheral Neuropathy] I realized early on that physical therapy could/might/should help me regain some strength and flexibility and it did. After my first 'round' of PT I also realized that I should ASK docs for instructions to therapists that could give me 'tasks' that I could do at home. It helped immensely. Finding a good therapist is a matter of trial, error, communication and lots of luck! The latter I truly hope you have.
As for your muscles not flexing? Well, once locked it will take a lot of massage and trial and error to find the things that work. I am recovering from a major leg surgery rite now and find my ankle on that side wanting to 'lock up'! Just don't let it happen, some hurting will occur during PT but it shouldn't be blinding-if you get my drift.
Silly tho this seems? IF you can wiggle your toes? Keep wiggleing them! With a vengeance...IF you are still, and listen to your body, you can feel it all the way up past your knee. It is surprising how important your toes are to the overall aspects of what are, essentially, learning to walk all over again!
Don't overdo new things too much too fast tho...I have found that you will have to learn your own pace in doing even the simplist things. We are in an odd situation where 'no pain/no gain' does NOT apply. I admit that I have been lucky with therapists who HAVE been able to gently coax muscles into stretching and doing more than I thought possible....other therapists can be seemingly cruel and stay far away from them IF you can. In your case sounds like coaxing is a whole lot better than forcing.
Learn as much as you can about PT and if the one you have is truly trained and 'certified/licensed' and go from there. Keep us up to date, please.
Hugs and hope - j

Hi, I believe what I do with my foot is considered foot drop.

But I just never have named it. So I really sympathize.

I can say though one thing that helps my foot, is massages for
the whole leg.

By the way welcome, and realize that even if you are starting
to get a little depressed talking to us helps.

Donna

Hello. I am new here. I'm so sorry you are having these troubles. I have worn below-knee AFO's since May 2005 for bilateral ankle instability AND LEFT FOOT DROP. I think they are wonderful.

If your doctor thinks you would benefit from an AFO, and your foot is that weak, I don't know why you would fight getting an AFO, especially if you want to keep working. It will keep you from dropping your foot and you won't use up your energy trying to walk proper, and you won't trip and fall.

My insurance paid for my $1600 braces. If your insurance will pay for the true orthotic that fits in your shoe, that is the best. They make a cast of your foot so you get the proper fit and dynamics for proper walking. It will keep your foot positioned properly and it has a little give so you can walk very normally once you get used to it. I wear mine on the outside of clothes, don't care what anyone thinks, and wear capris most of the time. I don't have any chafing or discomfort from the braces.

The down side is that if you get the in-shoe kind, you will have to wear tennis shoes and go up half a size to fit the brace in.

Good Luck,
LaVerne

I HAVE FOOT DROP in one foot due to a broken ankle and bulging disks in lower back. I just got a custom AFO brace several weeks ago. It felt so good on my flat foot and arch and helped me walk so straight.
Then I went back this week for any adjustments and they fixed a few things where it was rubbing and lowered the heel and now it feel so good I forget it is there. I am 67 and just canot afford to fall especially with osteoporosis.
So if there is a way to get a custom one with good followup, it can make a world of difference.

I do have a question about what happens after months and years of wearing this. Does you calf experience atrophy making it impossible to walk without it?

I'm not certain that anyone can answer your question. Everyone is different however you do lose some muscle. I do know several people who have worn their AFO's for years and still can walk some like around the house without the AFO.