palsy Periphial nerve of the leg and foot - Neuropathy Message Board

Th3rD 3yE · 06-07-2004, 11:36 PM

on april 17th 2004 i was injured playing football. from the accident that occured i aquired a torn ACL, PCL, and LCL. also from the trama that was indured to my leg i now have damage to my periphial nerve. i cant feel the top of my foot and some toes. this sensation goes across my ancle and up part of my leg. i am unable to move my foot up or outward. the doctors are unsure if it is tore or not but i am getting alot of sensations and pain in the deadened areas. my queston is, is there a great chance of regaining the senses in my foot if it is just stretched? and if it is torn, is there any procedures that can be done to attached this nerve back together? im 19 years old and im just a little unedgucated and informed on the subject. any things will help... thanks

Nervous Nellie · 06-10-2004, 06:41 AM

Your youth is in your favour as far as healing nerves go, and yes they do regenerate about an inch a month. You need to see a neuro guy so they can do tests of nerve conductivity, etc. If the nerve sheath is intact then the little sprouts can grow back and innervate the parts that have died off, if indeed they have died off.

The only words of encouragement I can give you is that I had a stretch injury to my nerve roots, and they did grow back but it took a very long time. You might also notice increased pain and weird sensations and twitches as the nerve grows, so don't be discouraged by this.

Please please see an expert and find out the real diagnosis. Just remember that it does take quite awhile but it can get better. Also read the threads about B12, it is a good boost to central and peripheral nerve health.

Best wishes and prayers for you.

Nellie

Th3rD 3yE · 06-10-2004, 02:04 PM

that you soo much that is very good news. i have a doctors apointment comming up with my orthopiedic so as soon as that happens i will find out about that doctor you were talking about. i really do appreciate your reply, its given me more hope. god bless you and thank you

shambbles · 06-16-2004, 11:00 PM

Good Lord, I thought I was reading my own post here.
Back in Oct 03, I tore my ACL/PCL/LCL broke the fibula, dislocated the knee and tore the peroneal nerve leading to "foot drop" which sounds quite similar to your problems. I am not able to lift my foot or turn it outwards. The top of the foot is numb and goes up the outside of the leg. (I was walking in the lobby of a local hospital when my injury occured) UGH!!
I've had 2 EMG nerve conduction test done to see if the nerves are regenerating, unfortunatly in my case, the nerve is NOT regenerating. HOPEFULY that won't be your case.

Because of the foot drop (peroneal palsey) I have to wear a AFO (foot brace) all the time. I actually have 3 different types as I also have to wear it at night. (this keeps the achilles tendon stretched out)

If the nerve is torn and doesn't regenerate there is a proceedure called a "posterior tibial tendon transfer". I plan on having this surgery done next spring. My OS wants to give the nerve a full 18 months to see if it will regenerate. It won't bring back the nerve function but it will hold your foot at a permenant 90degrees to assist you in walking.

I will see if I can find a link regarding this proceedure and post it here as soon as I can

The worst part of foot drop for me is the nerve pain I feel across the top of my numb foot. It comes in waves and made it quite difficult sleeping. I FINALLY got help by taking ELAVIL for the pain. I was on Neurotin but that didn't work for me. Elavil made me very tired at first but I've been sleeping great since Christmas. 2 weeks ago I cut back to a half a pill as im trying to cut it out all together. I've been off of it for 4 nights now and seem to be doing ok pain wise. Don't sleep as well but its not been a problem yet.

I don't know what the chances are of your regaining the nerve function but I wish you the very best outcome.

Take care,

shambbles · 06-18-2004, 03:49 PM

Here's the Foot Drop link:
[URL]http://www.emedicine.com/orthoped/topic389.htm[/URL]