Compass is still being developed and is effectively in beta. Some content and features may be incomplete, change, or not work as expected.

Content is anchored to trusted sources where available, but Compass has not yet been clinically reviewed. It provides general information rather than medical advice.

Feedback helps us identify gaps, errors, usability problems and opportunities to improve Compass over time.

How Compass is developedGive feedback

Movement and daily function

Foot drop

Difficulty lifting the front of the foot, so the toes catch when walking.

What it means

The muscles that pull the foot upward weaken, so the foot hangs down as the leg swings through. People notice tripping, scuffing a shoe, or having to lift the knee higher. An ankle foot orthosis is the word most often heard next to it.

Why you might hear it

  • It is often one of the first movement changes people notice.
  • It comes up when trips and falls are discussed.

People who may help

Where Compass goes into this

About this explanation

These are plain explanations of words you may come across, not advice about your own situation. Where a word matters to a decision, the question pages go into it properly, and your own team is the place to take it.