anyone experienced footdrop?

[Vin Diesel]

I had an mri which showed i have two prolapsed discs, one at L4/L5 and one at L5/S1.

Whilst my sciatic pain has subsided and i am much improved now, the gp even saying it unlikely a surgeon would operate based on the mri results, I have footdrop, numbness in my foot and down the outside of my leg which has not improved at all.

Due to this my gp has referred me to a neurosurgeon for consultation. I am waiting on an appointment now.

Has anyone experienced footdrop previously and recovered completely from it, with or without surgery? for anyone unaware of the term it basically means i can't pull my foot/toes upwards so as a result walk place or throw my left foot and it lands flat and not hell to toe when i walk. This leads to pain i nthe ankle and i also have reduced strength in this leg.

I would be grateful to hear of anyone who has past experience of this.

Regards,

Vin

[ab33t]

I had the same symptoms as well as severe pain down the back of my leg . Pins and needles in my foot and a feeling that something is pressing on my left foot. I had an L5/S1 fusion and the foot drop and pain went away but stil get the numbness and ocassional pins and needles.

[Vin Diesel]

Thanks for the reply. i presume the fusion is a surgical procedure? how long did you take to recover from the surgery? Did you regain your full power and range of motion in your foot?

Thanks

[sollas]

Hi

I am not a professional pilot, however I do currently work as an orthotist. Many people suffer from drop foot for a variety of reasons including impingement of the nerves. In some cases function does return but that tends to depend on the underlying problem. Nerves grow at a very slow rate and there are differences between recovery after crushing, and if the nerve has been severed in any way.

There are orthoses that can be used to help with ground clearance when walking etc. However, generally if you are wearing something like and ankle foot orthosis (what some people may call a splint) I would recommend advising the DVLA if using them to drive with so I guess the same would be said for the CAA if flying. Physio may also help to build up mucsle strengh if/when function returns.

If you are considering surgery just be aware there are always risks involved with any invasive procedure.

Hope this helps. I wish you all the best for a full and quick recovery.

[Vin Diesel]

thanks for the replies.

The surgeon has advised me that the footdrop is due to te nerve being pinched by the prolapsed disc. He is going to remove the offending piece of disc. This should alleviate my symptoms.

[hippocrates]

Read the patient info section on this website.
As i tell my patients.....knowledge is power!
:ok:
http://www.spinesurgeons.ac.uk/

[Stoorie]

I've had back trouble on and off over the past 20 years. Had one episode of "foot drop" -a prolapsed lumber disc about 8 years ago, with resultant nerve involvement and muscle wastage ( which happened really quickly). It resolved itself, no surgery needed, took about 3-4 months for full function to come back, took longer to build my muscles up though. Luckily my nerve damage started to resolve before my scheduled hospital appointment (which I then cancelled). Don't be too hasty to go under the knife as it may start to clear up with you too.

[mod /sev turb]

My wife had a slipped disc. which caused severe back pain numbness of the right leg and started to have foot drop . GP said no surgeon woul operate on it just take pain killers . This was in the August in The Jan we both went to the GP and said we have to have something done we have private medicalinss. Appointment with Consultant first one said take whole disc out (wife didnt like his bedside manner ) went to anothe r found on internet , who said key hole surgery take offending bit off. worked ,year later moved out again another op a bit more taken off and now having an appointment in april as it seems athe remainning bit has moved ??

[evonne]

I have had footdrop for about 6 years now I had a MRI scan which showed I had prolapsed discs (2-3) in my lumbar spine but was told by a specialist at a private practice by ascot hospital that this was not the cause of the foot drop. I walk with a walking stick as trip often (have very sore knees as that is what hits the ground first). I often have severe back pain especially when walking. and also get pins and needles in my feet after walking more than 5 minutes. But I have been told by health professionals I am not entitled to any help until I am 65 which means I have 30 years to wait. I am a poor single mother of a ten year old. Thankyou.

[Emoclew]

My wife had footdrop from bruised nerves after varicose vein surgery.
Took 6 months to get 90% recovery. Little change after that.
I would echo other posters, advising you to be fully aware of the risks.
Best of luck and hope it works out for the best.