Foot drop from herniated disc

I have a large herniated disc in the L5 that was causing severe pain in my lower back and down my right leg. Over a month ago the pain all of a sudden was gone and I noticed my foot and the front side of my leg was numb. So I know this is Drop foot. I went to see a neoursurgeon and he said that removing the disc would not correct the drop foot, it will just have to get better on it's own. The question I have, is this correct? I have read lots of comments saying you have to release the pressue on the nerve first before the foot drop will get better. I am just afraid that leaving it will cause it to be permenant?

Has anyone had this?

[missy142]

Hi,
Just read your post.  Is you foot and leg just numb or do you actually have foot drop where you are dragging your foot and unable to heal toe walk.  Numbess is a paresthesia and you can have it in your foot without having foot drop.  If you had foot drop you would have to physically pick up you foot and drop in back down or drag it and you would probably be tripping over things.  Can you heal walk?  I have an L5/S1 herniatioin also, i have alot of paresthesias in my lower extremities and was experiencing not being able to heal walk for awhile, but not quite foot drop.  I think this is the L5 nerve and the S1 is the toe walking if im not mistaken, maybe kitty will see this and correct me if im wrong.  Nonetheless, if you have foot drop it doesnt have to be permanent and you dont necessarily have to have surgery to get rid of it.   If you are tripping over things there are braces, physical therapy, im not sure that he can tell you for sure 100% that is will or will not get better, but it probably will.

Im tired so i hope this is helping a little.  Have you had an EMG/NCS test?

missy

[Tamara38]

Hi Missy,

Thanks for your response. Yes, it is drop foot. I am not able to walk heal to toe and I do drag it if I don't lift it up. I can't lift my foot upwards. I did get a brace and I has helped me alot. I am just worried that it will not get better. I am starting PT next week. The surgeon said it would take a long time to heal. The herniation is in the L5/S1. I am just hoping it does get better.

Thanks

Tamara  

[missy142]

Well the only thing I can say is I think they have you on the right path so far.  You have the brace so you will not hurt yourself either, and you are going to PT.  I would ask My surgeon, how long does he believe if PT is done would it take to see improvement, in fact PT will probably be able to give you an estimate.  Not that they can dx or say for sure if it will be 100% but im sure they have dealt with this quite a bit.

good luck again

[missy142]

I forgot to say that I also have heard that foot drop can get better on its own (with PT etc. i mean)

[Tamara38]

Thanks Missy. I will post back time to time to let you know how I am making out.

Tamara

[missy142]

Yes please do, im interested.

good luck

missy

[Tamara38]

Hi Missy,

I went to see a PT and he said that there is nothing that he could do that will help. Until the pressure is off the nerve my foot drop will not improve. I am confused now. I guess I just wait to see the neoursurgeon on May 28 and see what he has to say.

Tamara

[missy142]

Really?  Hmmm,  Im going to see my neurosurgeon tomorrow and if I can remember Im giong to throw that out to him as a hypothetical question.  You have L5/S1 herniation right?  Have u have surgery?  Im going to try to ask him this super quick, he'll probably think im a nut, but hey I think their pretty nuts too, those surgeons.

Im also going to ask my chiropractor who is very good and knowledgeable.  He has a cervical herniation and had very bad cord compression and severe motor weakness in his arm, he couldnt even pick up a hammer at one time.  Well he was scheduled for surgery and long story short, the use of his arm came back, no surgery, so you tell me, how the heck does this happen?:)

ttyl
m

[Tamara38]

Hi Missy,

Yes, it is a large herniation in the L5/S1. The outside of my calf, across the top of my foot to my big toe is numb. I have no movement lifting my foot up, but I can move it down. I have had no surgery on it. That would be great if you did ask him. Don't worry if you can't. I know they can be very busy and you need the time to get your answers for your health.

I think my guy is waiting to see if the disc resolves itself over time? It started in Jan of this year with the back pain then the siatic (sciatic) pain down my leg. I have had the foot drop since Mar.

I am glad to hear a story of someone who recovered without surgery. That is what I am hoping for. But I am just scared that I am not doing something that could help it or the longer it is like this the less chance of it coming back.

I had a herniated disc when I was 17 and was given an injection of cymopapain and it work right away, Then 12yrs later again,, but I went to a chiro and was off work 6 weeks from work, but again it went away. Now 9yrs later it has come back and I went to the chiro again but I have foot drop this time. So I have had problems with this disc over the years. I am 38ys old and active with walking my dog, so this has really slowed me down. I just want to get this back to normal and get doing the things I use to do.

Thanks for you concern and taking the time to talk.

Tamara

[Snorkle]

Tamara,

I have  remarkably similar history to what you describe.  Herniated disc at 17, and now another with numbness and mild (at the moment) foot drop.  I am very curious what has happened with that over the last couple years for you.

Anne