Final answer:
Foot drop gait is caused by weakness in the anterior compartment muscles responsible for dorsiflexion, leading to an abnormal high-stepping walk to clear the ground.
Step-by-step explanation:
Steppage gait, also known as foot drop gait, results from complete weakness of the anterior compartment muscles that extend the foot and ankle. Dorsiflexion is accomplished by these muscles, which include the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, extensor digitorum longus, and occasionally the fibularis tertius. During walking, the anterior compartment muscles raise the front of the foot. Foot drop gait is a distinctive high-stepping walk that results from an individual's inability to clear the ground with the toe during the swing phase of gait. Numerous factors, such as nerve damage, muscle disorders, or conditions affecting the brain and spinal cord that affect muscle control, can contribute to this condition.