Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

Which condition is commonly associated with bilateral foot drop?

1. Peripheral neuropathy

2. Multiple sclerosis

3. Herniated disc

4. Myasthenia gravis

The correct answer is: Peripheral neuropathy

Bilateral foot drop is most commonly associated with peripheral neuropathy due to the way this condition impacts the nerves responsible for controlling the muscles of the feet and legs. In peripheral neuropathy, damage to the peripheral nerves can lead to weakness in the muscles that elevate the foot, resulting in a foot drop, where the individual has difficulty lifting the front part of the foot. This can occur symmetrically (bilaterally) if the nerve damage affects both sides of the body similarly. In contrast, conditions like multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravis can also cause foot drop, but typically they involve more complex symptoms or have a less predictable bilateral presentation. Herniated discs generally cause unilateral symptoms depending on which nerve root is affected, though they can occasionally cause bilateral issues in rare cases of severe spinal stenosis. Thus, while the other conditions may lead to foot drop, peripheral neuropathy is the most common and direct cause of this particular presentation bilaterally.