I'm not sure if I'm posting in the right forum but I wanted to see if anyone ever experienced foot drop?
This past Monday I was playing tennis and there was no injury but the next day I was sore and the muscle next to my shin was sore. The on Wednesday I was walking and I noticed I couldn't list my ankle since I was still sore.
Today has been the same but now I realize I can not lift my toe or ankle towards my body. I went online and I found the condition is called foot drop.
But it seems most of the time it has to do with an injury to the back to or the ankle which I did not have.
I still have the soreness in the muscle around the shin area but there is no pain. I guess what I'm trying to find out will this go away? I just don't think I can have this foot drop because of playing tennis and I got sore muscle? And if I had damaged the nerves I think I would be in pain.
Hi Tony hopefully your drop foot will soon be gone. Mine was caused five months ago from a traction injury during hip replacement. Guess my body was stretched too far, for too long and the Sciatic nerve was injured. Not sure mine will ever be well. Apparently the nerve heals at a rate of one inch a month, from the top down. I do have buzzing, tingling going on in my foot/ankle/outside calf. At times my ankle can feel like concrete, and is always numb. Sounds like your problem is much less severe and should be well soon. kathleen
I should add that two years before my surgery I saw a neurologist. My GP had used the hammer thingy on my knees one day, and usually a person's lower leg would jump. Mine leg barely moved. Then he did the test on the bottom of my foot, which should have made me jump but I felt nothing. So I've known for a while my nerves were not in good condition. BTW, previously I'd been a runner for 15 years thinking it was good exercise. Not. Fast walking was the way to go, but it's way too late now......................
I hope you get better it sure sucks to have this foot drop.
I asked this doctor about mine and he said that it sounds like the fibular neck and if I touch it if I feel pain then it is the cause and he was right.
hi Tony & Kathleen: This is my first post and so glad I found the topic on foot drop. I suddenly developed nerve damage and foot drop to the left foot after suffering with sciatica for 8 months. On top of that, due to the foot drop I fell on July 13th, 2012 and fractured the base of the 5th metatarsal. My foot is just about healed from the fracture but still so very swollen and I know the extreme pain is from the nerve damage. this condition started in April (2012) and it is very debilitating. I use a cane now and am being fitted with a foot brace to prevent the foot from dropping and causing another injury. I am taking Gabapentin 400 mg for the pain which does help and inbetween I take Lortab 7.5 mg. Sleeping is the worst since the pain tends to be worse at night than during the day when I am mobile. My neurologist cannot answer my questions as to when I can expect to have a normal foot again. I am being scheduled for an MRI of the left knee to see if there might be a cyst or tumor behind the knee pressing on the nerve. Other than that I am living with this and it has really interrupted my life in that I am so restricted in doing the things I did before and took for granted. Simple tasks like general housecleaning ... oh well .. I could go on and on but you get the picture. Just wanted to input my dilemma...
I'am still experiencing the footdrop but it seems to got alittle better. I massage it at nights before going to bed and during the day I give it some excersies so it may heal soon.
About the pain you have at night, the thing I have learned from my experience with injuries and pain is that the pain always happens at night no matter what. The trick is take the pain killers before the pain has even started at night, this has always worked for me. No point taking pain killers when you already have the pain.
Hi Tony ... Thanks for your input. Glad to hear you're drop foot issues seem to be improving. Wish I could say the same .. As for the pain meds .. that is when I take the 400 mg Gabapentin just before i go to bed and I take the Lortab about an hour before that ...
Tony, Foot drop can be caused by a few things...the most common I see working in Neurology is damage to the peroneal motor nerve. If you can't lift your toes, there may be nerve damage to the extensor digitorum brevis muscle in the foot (this is the muscle that you use to life your toes). I have seen in many patients when they can't lift their toes that muscle is completely gone, but that's mostly patients with Neuropathy and it affects both extremities. Foot drop can also be caused by damage or slowing of the peroneal motor nerve at the head of the fibula bone, or by damage to the deep peroneal motor nerve, which controls the shin muscle (tibialis anterior). I have also seen one time that foot drop was caused by a ganglion cyst behind the knee. It can also be caused by a pinched nerve in your lumbar spine at L4/L5. Due to so many possible causes, it is important to be seen by a Neurologist. I am also an EMG tech, meaning I perform nerve conduction studies, which diagnose and find cause for many issues including foot drop. It is the best way to find out the cause and to treat it.
The Following User Says Thank You to NeuroMedAsst For This Useful Post: katrae (09-25-2012)
Read your post to Tony and what you had to contribute is very interesting and helpful. I suffered witih sciatica which would not go away. I had 26 visits with the chiropractor for spinal decompression. that eased up the sciatica down the left leg but then the numbness and drop foot of the left leg and foot started. I had the nerve conduction studies which confirmed nerve damage. My neurologist is now ordering an MRI of the knee to see what's behind it - if anything. I am fitted with a drop foot brace and I take Gabapentin for the sharp stabbing pains in my foot. My life has been totally turned around since all this began and I am hoping one day soon I'll be able to function as I did before this foot issue started.
Hi LucyBee, sorry you are having to go through this mess. I feel the same, just want my life back. I must say that I'm at month 6 right now and adjusting to the foot drop somewhat. Mine does not fall totally downward, I can hold it straight with concentration. Want to tell of my experience with braces. My first was plastic with velcro band. It fit into my shoe and up around the calf, very uncomfortable. Found I could get on a site like eBay and buy a soft, smaller brace that did not go into the shoe. It has a band around my ankle with Velcro attachments. A second smaller piece fits under the shoe laces with a short strap that hooks into the ankle band. This strap lifts the forefoot/toes. Much, much nicer. Sells for about $80. Right now I guess my goal is to learn to walk better with the problem, adjust to the maximum degree. Truly doubt I'll ever heal from the stretched Sciatic nerve cause from hip replacement surgery. Best of luck to you.
Hi Katrae: Thanks for the input. I am still going round and round with this and it's driving me crazy. I just feel so abandoned by all medical professionals .. it's like no one really cares. I was supposed to get my foot brace last week. Went for my appt and was told then the company sent the wrong foot .. sent one for the right foot instead of the left. Still waiting a week later. My brace is metal which fits inside the shoe. it has a metal bar going up the side of the leg with a velcro adjustment just under the knee. It was pretty expensive - $650 but my copay was $135.00. I know once I get it I'll have to get used to it. My worst problem right now is the awful stabbing pains in the foot and the unsteadiness of my gait ..I use a cane and occasionally my walker with wheels but every step I take is a risk...
Thanks for your info ...
The following user gives a hug of support to LucyBee210: katrae (10-02-2012)
Hi: I see you are in the medical field and must ask you this very important question. I don't know if you've read any of my posts concerning my nerve damage and drop foot and I wish you would if you haven't already to better understand my issues. My nerve damage and foot drop actually began the day I saw my primary doctor for sciatica down my left leg. He, for some reason, placed his fingers behind my left knee, pushed inward and pinched the back of my knee very hard. At the instant he did this I thought my foot was going to explode off of my leg .. electrical-type exploding pain.. When I yelled and asked him what that was all about he just ignored me. My foot immediately had a pins and needles sensation for a few days and then the numbness and drop foot started. Could this "pinch" have entrapped the peroneal nerve and if so ... what's the next step ... if any? Any help appreciated.
Hi Lucy. I probably should be using a cane at all times too, but it's been six months now and feeling a bit more sure of myself. Saw my surgeon's asst yesterday, she said always to use the foot brace; and not even to trust it fully. She's seen too many folks fall. For the very first time I did get some encouraging news. She could see some improvement on my drop foot garbage. Said in a year we'd know more, and probably another EMG test was in my future to see how much (if any) the Sciatic nerve had improved. She upped my Neurontin med for nerve pain from 600mg a day to 900mg. KY has gone crazy over presc. pain med abuse and there's no way I'd be getting any more Lortab help.
I also went through a big mess with my first foot brace ordered by my surgeon. Same as you, all kind of mix ups. To the point I told them to forget it. I ordered the plastic version of what your brace will be, off eBay. Hah, it cost me less on the internet than my co-pay was going to be. I'd have had to pay $200, so glad the whole thing fell through.
Wow ... it's a mess... I got the brace yesterday...Oh how awful this is ... Hurts like the devil. It won't fit in any of my shoes other than the expensive Easy Spirit I just bought. the bar that goes up the side juts out so that it will be impossible to wear jeans or long pants. I live in FL but going up north in November .. My shin bone is killing me .. it goes on and on .. I went back today and told the tech I need help and fast. I almost feel like asking for a refund and getting one myself since I've seen so many other models that might work better for me. Apparently this orthodic place only deals with one company that makes them. I don't have a sciatic issue any long but it's the peroneal nerve that has given me the nerve damage and drop foot. I wish you well .. keep in touch so we can compare notes from time to time.
Still fairly new to this site and having some trouble navigating myself around, but I would like to talk to others with drop foot. I was recently diagnosed with neuropathy (March 2012) and have had diabetes for 40 years. Due to both conditions the drop foot started about a month ago. I will see a neurologist this coming Monday 10/1/12, but would like to hear from others as to what has helped them with this condition; ie sugery, brace, drugs, etc. Thank you!
Hi: I am fairly new myself and have peroneal nerve damage which gives me a totally numb and useless left foot along with drop foot. I was just fitted for a brace which I am not happy with and will attempt to get something alittle more functional for me. I know that diabetics do have a greater chance of developing nerve damage (drop foot) .. I do not have diabetes. I am sure once you see your neurologist he will probably want to do nerve conduction studies to determine the degree of your neuropathy. I would think he would give you a script for a brace to keep that foot up so you don't trip and fall (which I did of course breaking a bone in my foot). If you are having pain with your neuropathy (which I am) you should get some medication for that .. I take Gabapentin which helps quite a bit with the stabbing pain in the foot. I wish you luck. This is no fun - especially for us "seniors".. I am assuming you are a senior but apologize if I am wrong. Let us know how you make ouit .. we can all compare notes and hopefully make this a more tolerable time in our lives....
UOTE=mosesthecat;5063278]Still fairly new to this site and having some trouble navigating myself around, but I would like to talk to others with drop foot. I was recently diagnosed with neuropathy (March 2012) and have had diabetes for 40 years. Due to both conditions the drop foot started about a month ago. I will see a neurologist this coming Monday 10/1/12, but would like to hear from others as to what has helped them with this condition; ie sugery, brace, drugs, etc. Thank you![/QUOTE]
The Following User Says Thank You to LucyBee210 For This Useful Post: katrae (10-02-2012)
Thanks for your reply, LucyBee. The doctors started me on Gabapentin, but it did not give me any relief so now I am on Nucynta. It is ok. I'm 50, but don't consider myself a senior. Still feel like I'm 30. Ha. I've read a lot about these braces for drop foot, but I've also read about surgeries that can be done. Do you know anything about the surgeries? I have not read anything good about the braces. I'm getting use to the pain, but falling down and not being able to walk is really depressing. I live alone so it makes things a bit more difficult. Also, do you know anything about Spinal Cord Stimulation? My doctor wants to see if it will help with the neuropathy pain. It's something they put in your back that triggers the nerves. Anything you can share on either would be helpful. Thank you.
The Following User Says Thank You to mosesthecat For This Useful Post: katrae (10-02-2012)
When i started on Gabapentiin he put me on a low dose which did nothing. After doing my research I insisted he increase the dosage so now I'm on 40 mg twice a day and sometimes 3 x daily but usually just morning and right before bed and it helps. I also take Lortab. I have not heard of surgery for this but I am going to my neurologist next week and intend to ask him .. not that I relish the idea of any surgery. I never heard of the spinal cord stim but I went through 26 treatments of spinal decompression where the spine is stretched to ease the bulging disk off the offending nerve. That helped me but now the issue is the peroneal nerve which is causing the nerve damage and drop foot. I don't like the foot brace but have no choice. I've already fallen once and broke a bone in my foot which is healed now but continues to swell ... Always something !! So be careful if you're not using a brace or cane.. Before the brace I even tried to invent something to hold up the foot .. I used an ace bandage and wrapped it under my foot a few times and then around my ankle... LOL... It sort of worked but then just about cut off the circulation in my leg and foot.... Keep us posted on what you learn...
Quote:
Originally Posted by mosesthecat
Thanks for your reply, LucyBee. The doctors started me on Gabapentin, but it did not give me any relief so now I am on Nucynta. It is ok. I'm 50, but don't consider myself a senior. Still feel like I'm 30. Ha. I've read a lot about these braces for drop foot, but I've also read about surgeries that can be done. Do you know anything about the surgeries? I have not read anything good about the braces. I'm getting use to the pain, but falling down and not being able to walk is really depressing. I live alone so it makes things a bit more difficult. Also, do you know anything about Spinal Cord Stimulation? My doctor wants to see if it will help with the neuropathy pain. It's something they put in your back that triggers the nerves. Anything you can share on either would be helpful. Thank you.
Oh, LucyBee you're funny! Thanks for reply. When I started on Gabapentin it was two 100mg tabs taken three times a day. Sounds like my dose was quite higher than yours, but it did not relieve pain. I'm a small thing; 5'1 and 98 pounds so one would think I wouldn't take much. I have a cane, but have found (maybe this will help you) putting an Ace ankle wrap on AND wearing either a pair of lace up boots or Uggs helps wherein I do not need the cane and feel stable, but I'm laced up, or stuffed into the Ugg boot, like a stuffed sausage! I'll see the Neurologist this coming Monday and I would like to be educated before I see him. The research I did on the Spinal Cord Stim is not new, so I'm surprised you haven't heard of it. Just read Lortab is like Hydrocodone, which I was on but not enough relief. Love your invention! Really sorry you broke the bone in your foot - like you really needed that to happen! You're obviously an incredibly strong individual. Wow! I got made when I fell at WalMart. Will let you know about doc visit Monday. Have a nice weekend. Really enjoyed talking to you. Thank you.
Oh boy, did I say 10 mg of Gabapentin and then 40 mgs of it ??? Senior moment !! Should have typed started on 100 mg which did nothing and now I'm on 400 mg ... Whew..Since I already have my brace I'll stick with it for now since it does work but so uncomfortable. When I saw the neurologist for the first time he was quite upset that nobody ordered a brace for me .. at times I feel so abandoned by these doctors .. seems like I have to ask them for everything instead of them telling me what I need. The brace helps but still walking off kilter which is giving me a backache .. Don't need that since i just went through all those treatments at the chiropractor's ... Let me know what the neurologist says Monday ... By the way, what state do you live in?
Have a good and safe weekend...
