4. Foot Drop
A strange sensation classified as a gait abnormality rather than a disease on its own, foot drop occurs following irritation, damage, or weakness to a set of nerves in the anterior part of the lower leg. It can also be caused by paralysis of muscles on the same part of the leg. CIDP is capable of bringing about both of these causes.
A person’s walking style is affected and inhibited significantly, with them typically only finding relief from the symptom once lying down with the affected leg raised. Foot drop is often seen as a minor symptom to medical professionals, however, the feeling of imaginary extra weight in one leg can create a weight around a person’s shoulders that is difficult to lift. Foot drop tends to come and go in waves, although some sufferers of CIDP complain of the symptom persisting for years, and at this point, it is called permanent foot drop.