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Foot drop surgery
HCA UK surgeons can restore function in people experiencing foot drop using advanced surgical tendon transfer techniques.
What is foot drop?
Foot drop happens when the muscles and tendons that pull the foot upwards stop working. This could be for a number of reasons, including nerve injury or disease (neuropathy) and after stroke.
Surgery may involve transferring a working muscle and tendon to replace the ones that are not working.
Need to know
This procedure is performed under general anaesthetic, so you'll be asleep throughout. You'll either have a tendon transfer, or fusion surgery.
Tendon transfer: here, a working muscle and tendon are transferred to replace the muscles and tendons that are not working. There are many tendon transfers that can be used and will be discussed with you by your specialist.
Fusion surgery: here, your ankle and foot bones are fused together to stabilise the area. In some cases, the Achilles tendon is lengthened to bring the foot and ankle up to a normal position. Rehabilitation can take several months and will involve a multidisciplinary approach.
If surgery is recommended then your consultant will explain the procedure to you in detail and answer any questions you may have. Because you'll be having general anaesthetic, they'll let you know how long you should avoid eating and drinking before surgery.
Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you in detail.
When you wake up from surgery, you'll have a splint on your ankle. This keeps the foot and ankle in place and protects the new tendons. You will be advised to elevate your leg for the first two weeks to reduce swelling. The stitches will then be removed and you'll wear a cast for a further six weeks.
A physiotherapist will help you build up strength in the area over the following weeks. Your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual routine, including work or exercise.
Our Foot drop surgery locations
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
Institute of Sport Exercise and Health (ISEH)
170 Tottenham Court Road W1T 7HA London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Chelsea Outpatients
280 King's Road SW3 5AW London
The Princess Grace Hospital Outpatients
30 Devonshire Street W1G 6PU London
Elstree Waterfront Outpatients
Beaufort House WD6 3BS Elstree
Golders Green Outpatients
Golders Green Outpatients and Diagnostic Centre NW11 9PY London
The Wellington Hospital Outpatients
15 - 17 Lodge Road NW8 7JA London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.