Global Foot Drop Treatment Market - 2021-2028

Market Overview

The global foot drop treatment market size was valued at US$ XX million in 2020 and is estimated to reach US$ XX million by 2028, growing at a CAGR of XX % during the forecast period (2021-2028).

Foot drop is a weakness experienced when lifting the foot and toes upward. It is characterized by the individual dragging the toes of the affected foot involuntarily while attempting to walk. To compensate for the dragging, a high steppage or slapping gait is attempted, in which the leg on the affected side is lifted higher than usual for the toes to clear the surface.

Market Dynamics

The recent emerging foot drop treatments are expected to drive market growth.

The recent emerging treatments for foot drop are expected to drive the market growth in the forecast period

The majority of neurological impairments affecting gait, such as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or stroke, spinal cord injuries (SCIs), multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral palsy (CP), and brain injuries (BIs), occur at high rates worldwide. Foot drop (FD) is a common gait impairment caused by these pathologies, and it is characterised by paralysis or significant weakness of the ankle dorsiflexor muscles. It is distinguished by the inability to achieve adequate dorsiflexion to achieve a sufficient distance with the ground during the swing phase of gait. It is also distinguished by uncontrolled plantarflexion, which results in foot slap. Individuals with FD may become unable to support their weight due to muscle weakness and/or spasticit. Therefore, it is vital to identify appropriate strategies of intervention to overcome foot drop symptoms and improve gait. For instance, conventional treatment involves using an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO), which keeps the ankle joint neutral. However, robotic and electrical stimulation assistance techniques are being developed and represent promising alternatives. The most commonly used techniques to compensate for FD are functional electrical stimulation (FES), which sequentially activates paralyzed muscles through electrical stimulation to restore functional movement and is clinically beneficial in gait restoration, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), which is a non-invasive technique that is typically used as analgesic treatment. These two techniques have different effects on Foot drop. Still, in both of them, the second motor neuron must be intact, as well as the electrical excitability in the peripheral nerves and muscle tissues.

Moreover, Heliyon published a study in 2020 in which a pedi-anklebot robot was evaluated for foot drop treatment. Ankle motor performance was measured, and great accuracy in ankle trajectories was observed. Hence, the new emerging treatment options are expected to drive the global foot drop treatment market in the forecast period.

The availability of alternative treatment is expected to hamper the market growth

In recent times people are opting for natural ways of treatment. For instance, the most effective natural treatment for foot drop is to retrain the brain to activate the muscles that control dorsiflexion. The brain already knows how to do this due to neuroplasticity, a process in which the brain forms new neural pathways based on what one repeatedly practices. Even if one can't dorsiflex right now, the brain can do so with foot drop exercises. Foot drop exercises use movements such as dorsiflexion to retrain the brain on how to lift the front of the foot. The more one does foot drop exercises; the better dorsiflexion will become. Each repetition of the foot drop exercises strengthens the new neural pathways in the brain that can control dorsiflexion. Natural foot drop remedies are particularly effective because they address the underlying problem: the brain-muscle connection. On the other hand, drugs and surgery avoid this issue and, as a result, do not produce the best results. In this case, homeopathic remedies are the most effective method of recovering from foot drop. According to the World Health Organization, herbal medicine is used by an estimated 80% of the world's population. Certain herbs have been shown in studies to be effective in treating a variety of health issues, including allergies, fatigue, and others.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected approximately 65 million people worldwide. Isolated peroneal nerve palsy was developed in many people after recovery. For instance, infection with SARS-CoV-2 in addition, the patients had foot problems, weakness 7-10 days after recovering from acute primary SARSCoV-2 infection, implying the possibility of immune-mediated infection. Acute Respiratory Syndrome with Severe Exacerbation Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, which caused the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, may also affect the neural axis at various levels, including the CNS and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS). There is mounting evidence that SARS-CoV-2 is causing neurological complications. Although isolated facial nerve involvement has been reported, isolated peroneal nerve palsy due to SARS-CoV-2 infection is uncommon. A study reported two such rare cases of foot drop (53-year-old male/45-year-old male) where isolated peroneal nerve involvement was found on a nerve conduction study. Hence, with the increasing affect of COVID-19, the global foot drop treatment market is expected to grow.

Segment Analysis

The electric stimulation segment is expected to dominate the market growth

Foot drop is typically treated with orthotics such as an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO), physical therapy, or surgery. Nerve stimulation, using myoelectric orthotics such as functional electrical stimulators (FES), is a rehabilitation technique that uses electrical currents to peripheral nerves to improve the movement or function of organs, muscles, and extremities. It is used during rehabilitation for adults and children with neurologic dysfunction such as foot drop. FES has been shown to help patients with foot drop caused by a variety of neurological conditions improve many aspects of their walking.

For instance, The Functional Electrical Stimulator (FES) stimulates tissues with electrical pulses, improving motion, increasing blood circulation, and preventing muscular atrophy. According to a 2019 study published in World Neurology, a FES was evaluated for its effectiveness in regaining foot functionality. FES was found to be effective in the case of normal walk-in neurogenic drop foot patients. Furthermore, the rising prevalence of brain and spinal disorders is expected to positively impact the FES segment market. According to the Neurological Alliance, the prevalence of cerebral palsy in England in 2018 was approximately 25,273.

Geographical Analysis

North America region is expected to hold the largest market share in the global foot drop treatment market

The high prevalence of stroke and the growing number of product approvals. Stroke is a common cause of foot drop, which makes walking difficult. Foot drop patients are unable to raise the front part of their foot due to weakness of the muscle that normally lifts it. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 795,000 people in the United States suffer from a stroke each year.

The increasing FDA approvals are also expected to fuel the market growth. For instance, Bioness Inc. received a US FDA (Food Drug & Administration) approval for its L300 Go system in 2017. It includes user activity tracking, 3D motion detection of gait movements, and multi-channel stimulation. As a result of these factors, the demand for foot drop treatment in this region is expected to increase.

Competitive Landscape

The global foot drop treatment market is highly competitive with increasing product launches, company mergers and acquisitions. Some of the key players in the market are NextStep Robotics, Ottobock, Bioness Inc., Axio Bionics, Accelerated Care Plus Corporation, Saebo, Inc., Boston Orthotics & Prosthetics, Turbomed Orthotics, Ossur, Thrive Orthopedics

Saebo Inc.

Overview: Saebo, Inc. is a medical device company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing low-cost, novel clinical solutions to improve mobility and function in people with neurological and orthopedic conditions.

Product Portfolio: The company's device called "SaeboStep" has is used to treat foot drop. Its distinct design and lightweight enable it to complement a wide range of footwear.

Key Development: On 25 May 2017, the company launched a new device called "SaeboStep" to treat foot drop. Its distinct design and lightweight enable it to complement a wide range of footwear.

On May 14, 2019, NextStep Robotics, a Baltimore-based startup, closed a $600,000 funding round to advance the development of its stroke rehabilitation device. The company's robotic device is intended to treat foot drop, a common problem for stroke survivors that prevents them from lifting a toe while walking. This restricts mobility and increases the risk of falling.

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Target Audience

• Service Providers/ Buyers
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Education & Research Institutes
• Research Professionals
• Emerging Companies
• Manufacturers

Market Segmentation

Global Foot Drop Treatment Market - By Product Type

• Electrical Stimulator

Functional Electrical Stimulator

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)

• Braces/Splints
• Other

Global Foot Drop Treatment Market - By Application

• Neuropathy
• Muscle Disorders
• Brain & Spinal Disorders
• Others

Global Foot Drop Treatment Market - By Region

• North America
• Europe
• South America
• Asia Pacific
• Middle East and Africa