coping with drop foot....

[peace121]

Hi I had a back injury about 8 weeks ago.resulting in numbness in right side..diagnosed with drop foot.
Given mri scan..2 ares of bulging..poss L5 area in my lower back.
I did have prolapsed disc in  2008..healed itself..
Im on painkillers..waiting for 2nd scan november.
Can anyone advise me..I excercise..walking wear foot support..what other excercise..swimming, massage...
Please reply....many thanks...tk care..

[peace121]

DEAR DR MATHUR,

I AM VERY THANKFUL FOR YOUR ADVICE.
I DO HAVE A SECOND SCAN BEGGINING NOVEMBER..
BUT IN LAST COUPLE DAYS MY RIGHT FOOT IS NUMB AND NOW PAINFUL.
SEEMS PETTY BUT MY LITTLE TOE IS SWOLLEN...LUMP ONTOP.
IS IT OK TO LEAVE THIS OR SHOULD I SEE MY GP THIS WEEK....I JUST WANT TO GET BETTER AS IT IS HINDERING MY CHANCES OF GETTING A JOB......
PLEASE COULD YOU REPLY
I WILL FOLLOW YOUR ADVICE
MANY THANKS
L SOMES

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
I am sorry to hear about your medical problems. In all probability the foot drop is due to the nerve compression due to prolapsed disc. However, foot drop can also occur due to peroneal nerve palsy, when the nerve is damaged at the lower part of the knee. The commonest causes are habitual leg crossing, wearing tight shoes, history of fracture of fibula head, history of knee surgery or use of a tight plaster. A nerve conduction study can help diagnose the nerve involved.
Muscle diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis or stroke are the other possibilities. Hence if there is no nerve related cause identified, all these other causes need to be looked into.
The treatment involves physical therapy, massage, swimming, muscle stretching and strength training exercises, nerve stimulation, braces and splints and surgery to fuse the joints to prevent the foot drop.
Please discuss with your doctor. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.