A weakness of muscles in the feet and ankles that causes difficulty with dorsiflexion and walking normally is known as:

• A. Gait Disorder
• B. Plantar Fasciitis
• C. Ankle Sprain
• D. Foot Drop

Answer: (A)

Dorsiflexor weakness in the feet and ankles limits lifting the front of the foot, which is essential for clearing the foot during the swing phase of walking. When those muscles or their nerve supply are impaired, you get foot drop—the inability to dorsiflex properly, leading to an abnormal, steppage gait and difficulty walking normally. That specific pattern of weakness and gait change is what “foot drop” describes.

Gait disorder is a broad term for abnormal walking patterns and isn’t specific to dorsiflexor weakness. Plantar fasciitis causes heel pain with weight-bearing, not an inability to dorsiflex. An ankle sprain involves injury to the ligaments around the ankle rather than primary dorsiflexor weakness.