Peroneal Nerve Damage ~ Dropped Foot!

[bigdog13]

I understand the frustration from both of you, even though the doc said it was 70% chance of the nerve coming back I too feel as though if it doesn't that my life would be partially over as well. I can't play any sports right now and I can't run at all with the brace on. I am 30 years old and playing sports was a HUGE part of my life. I am SOOO frustrated by not being able to move my right foot up at all. and every step with that plastic brace feels like a knife into my heel with every step. Jason

[smooshes]

Dear Brent:

Thank you for sharing your story. 6 months ago I was stricken with a disease called Rhabdomyolisis which caused such extreme poisoning and edema, I have permanent paralysis in the left leg and permanent foot drop. I wear AFO's to go out, but, as a result of the pain from the nerve damage, I am unable to walk more than 10 to 15 feet and need a walker to do that. I was a perfectly healthy 42 year old woman before this happened and now, am also permanently disabled. It is heartbreaking. I was also told I would possible improve in 6 to 12 months, now am told not to hope for a miracle. At this point, I have learned that there was a surgery that could have been done if performed within a week of the illness. They didnt do that. I am not sure if there are surgeries for your condition, however, I know for mine, there are none. I do wear an ace bandage around the ankle in the house to get around better and it does help the foot drop and I do not have to wear those bulky AFO's around my house. I thought I would mention that, and also just let you know from the looks of all the responses you are not alone, and neither am I. Best Wishes!

[Lynn1991NY]

A tendon transfer does not lock in your foot at a 90 deree angle. An ankle fusion locks in your ankle at 90 degrees. A tendon transfer simply stated moves temdons from one area of your foot to the top to keep your foot from dropping. Some have success retraining those transferred tendons to move up and some some. Therefore it is possible to have active motion (therefore it wont be locked). Some cannot retrain the tendons so the have passive motion. I had posterior tibial tendon transfer less than a week ago. If you have questions, please ask.

[Larla66]

Hi Brent,

I'm real sorry to hear how bad things are going for you, hopefully they have improved from your last posting in 2005. I really hope you got to go to Disneyland and have full mobility and do everything you wanted to do.

I never realised that there would be much information on this condition online, I guess until you suffer from it you don't really fully understand how much it affects your everyday life. I had an accident 8 weeks ago and broke my leg in three places, the worst fracture being my fibula, I was really shocked and scared when I got my cast off 4 weeks ago and found my foot was paralysed and was told I would suffer from dropped foot.

I have an appointment to see my Consultant Doctor on Tuesday but feel very frightened as there has been very little improvement. I'm not able to do much in the house to look after my two children and partner without my foot getting very sore and swollen. I lost my baby in October too and feel real down and know I'm being quick tempered at times because of these two things happening.

I'd appreciate any advice you have, would be great to speak to someone going through the same thing.

Hope to hear from you soon, xoxo

[gmac1975]

Hello all

It's been 13 years and great to finally speak to people in a similar situation.

Long story short: When I was 18 my younger brother (god love him!) accidentally pushed me thru a glass door, the fall causing me to tear my sciatic nerve. Nerve reconstruction was a partial success but I still needed to wear a splint due to the drop foot.

A few months ago I stumbled across some information online about a tendon transfer and decided to make some inquiries. Last week I went for an EEG and the doc thinks I could be a suitable candidate for the op. At the moment I can push my foot down but not pull it up. The chap who did the EEG reckons I should be able to rectify that if the op is a success, meaning I wouldnt have to wear the splint any more which would mean so much to me.

Interested to hear more from Lynne or anyone else who's had the operation, what it involves, recovery time etc etc

Thanks