Neurological
Drop Foot Treatment Specialists
Expert Foot Drop Treatment in Phoenix, AZ — From a Dual Board-Certified Spine Surgeon & Neurosurgeon
Foot drop — difficulty lifting the front of the foot — often signals a compressed nerve that may need prompt treatment to recover. At Desert Spine and Pain, Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS, a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon, finds the cause quickly and relieves the nerve.
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Over 30 Years Experience in Orthopedic & Neuro Spine Surgeries.
Foot drop is difficulty lifting the front of the foot, causing the toes to drag and a tendency to trip. It's usually a sign that the nerve controlling those muscles — often a lower-back nerve root — is being compressed. Because nerve recovery is time-sensitive, prompt diagnosis matters. At Desert Spine and Pain in Phoenix, a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon finds the cause quickly and relieves the pressure.
Book a Consultation — (602) 566-9500Normal Step vs. Foot Drop
What Is Foot Drop?
Foot drop (also called drop foot) is weakness in lifting the front of the foot, so it drags when you walk. It's a symptom, not a disease — and in the spine, it usually means a nerve root (commonly the L5 nerve) is being compressed by a herniated disc, stenosis, or a bone spur, weakening the muscles that raise the foot.
Foot drop deserves prompt attention: the longer a nerve is compressed, the harder it can be to fully recover its strength. Finding and relieving the cause quickly gives the best chance of regaining normal function.
When to See a Specialist for Foot Drop
See a specialist promptly if you notice new difficulty lifting your foot, tripping, or a slapping gait — especially with back or leg pain. Because recovery is time-sensitive, foot drop should not be left to “wait and see.”
Go to an emergency room or call us immediately if you develop progressive leg or arm weakness, numbness around the groin, loss of bladder or bowel control, or symptoms following a significant accident or fall.
How We Treat Foot Drop
Foot drop is treated by relieving the compressed nerve — and because recovery is time-sensitive, evaluation and decompression are often done promptly.
Diagnostic nerve testing & imaging
Diagnostic nerve testing and MRI pinpoint exactly which nerve is compressed, and how severely — guiding urgent decisions.
Decompression surgery — often prompt
Relieving the nerve with a microdiscectomy, laminectomy, or foraminotomy gives the muscles the best chance to recover — and the sooner the better.
Why Choose Our Foot Drop Specialists in Phoenix
Choosing the right foot drop specialist in Phoenix matters. At Desert Spine and Pain, your care is led by Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS — a physician who is both a board-certified spine surgeon and a neurosurgeon. That dual expertise is rare, and it means one expert can guide you across the full spectrum of care — from a simple injection to complex surgery — and recommend what is genuinely best for you, whether you need a foot drop doctor for conservative care or a surgeon when surgery is truly the answer.
A rare dual credential — so the specialist who treats you can also perform surgery if it's ever needed.
Most patients get better without surgery. We only advance when your condition truly requires it.
No referral needed. We make it straightforward to see a top spine specialist, even out-of-network.
24/7 concierge response and close coordination with personal-injury attorneys.
Life Beyond the Pain
What to Expect: Your Care Journey at Desert Spine and Pain
From your first visit, the goal is a clear diagnosis and a plan built around you — not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Consultation
We listen to your history, examine you, and review any prior imaging — no referral required.
Diagnosis
If needed, we order or review MRI/X-ray imaging and may use diagnostic nerve testing or a diagnostic injection to confirm the exact source.
Personalized plan
Dr. Greenwald explains your options in plain language and starts with the least invasive treatment likely to work.
Treatment & follow-up
We deliver your care — therapy, a procedure, or surgery at an affiliated accredited facility — and follow you closely until you're back to living.
Insurance, Out-of-Network & Cost
Cost and coverage shouldn't stand between you and relief. Desert Spine and Pain welcomes out-of-network patients and will walk you through what your evaluation and treatment are likely to involve before anything is scheduled — so there are no surprises. We'll help you understand your benefits and options, whether you're using insurance, paying out-of-pocket, or being treated under a personal-injury claim.
Injured in an Accident?
If your pain started with a car accident, slip-and-fall, or work injury, we offer a dedicated pathway: prompt evaluation, thorough documentation and records for your case, and direct coordination with your personal-injury attorney. You focus on recovering; we handle the medical side.
Schedule Your ConsultationProudly Serving the Greater Phoenix, Arizona Area
Patients travel to Desert Spine and Pain from across Arizona for specialist spine care — because the right spine surgeon is worth the drive. We welcome patients from Phoenix and communities throughout the Valley and beyond:
…and surrounding Arizona communities. Out-of-network patients are welcome, and no referral is required — schedule a consultation.
Related Conditions We Treat
Not sure which applies? Start with the neurological spine conditions we treat.
Don't wait on foot drop.
See a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon in Phoenix promptly — relieving the nerve early gives the best chance of recovery.
Book a Consultation — (602) 566-9500Foot Drop: Frequently Asked Questions
Is foot drop an emergency?
It's time-sensitive. New or worsening foot drop should be evaluated promptly, because the longer the nerve is compressed, the harder full recovery becomes. Don't adopt a “wait and see” approach.
Can foot drop be reversed?
Often, yes — especially when the compressed nerve is relieved early. Recovery depends on how long and how severely the nerve was compressed, which is why prompt treatment matters.
What causes foot drop from the spine?
Usually a compressed lower-back nerve root (often L5) from a herniated disc, stenosis, or a bone spur, weakening the muscles that lift the foot.
Do I need a referral, and are you out-of-network?
No referral is required, and we welcome out-of-network patients — but given the time-sensitive nature, be seen promptly.
Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD
Neuro-Spine Surgeon
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Schedule a Drop Foot Consultation
If you’re struggling with drop foot or nerve-related weakness, early diagnosis and treatment are key to recovery. Dr. Greenwald and his caring team are dedicated to helping you understand the cause of your symptoms and providing targeted solutions to restore strength and movement. Every step you take toward treatment brings you closer to regaining stability and independence. Schedule your consultation today and let us help you take the next step toward lasting relief and better function.
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Over 30 Years Experience in Orthopedic & Neuro Spine Surgeries.
Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS
Neurosurgeon | Spine Surgeon | Regenerative Medicine
Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS, is a board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon with extensive experience diagnosing and treating foot drop, which can cause pain, numbness, or weakness. He uses advanced imaging to pinpoint the true source of your symptoms and builds a personalized, least-invasive-first plan — from conservative care and targeted injections to minimally invasive surgery only when it is truly needed. His skill and patient-centered approach help patients throughout the greater Phoenix, Arizona area experience meaningful pain relief, reduced recovery time, and restored mobility.
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