nerve compression with calf muscle weakness

n 2000, I herniated L4-L5 disc with resulting excruciating pain down my right leg into my foot with residual right lateral foot numbness and calf weakness.  I underwent partial disectomy and laminectomy of L4-L5 eight weeks later and within a year I had minimal pain and about 85% of my calf strength back.  The next 7 years were unremarkable and I played sports, worked as a nurse, basically returned to my normal life.  Then in December 2007, I developed a slight limp, suddenly realizing that my calf muscle was once weak again.  I, however, was not in any pain.  An MRI confirmed that I have re-herniated L4-L5 and there is nerve compression.   I saw a neurosurgeon and he told me that I really shouldn't have surgery because my level of function is so high and that my pain is not debilitating.  He told me there is no guarantee that with surgery that my leg weakness would get better, and in fact I could end up worse because of scar tissue.  Here is my question:  Is there anyway that I can increase the strength in my gastrocnemius if the nerve is compressed?  I am a nurse and have a physical therapy backround as well.....how can I strengthen a muscle that is not receiving the impulse from the nerve?  Should I have an EMG?  The lateral head of my gastrocnemius seems to be working fine, it is the medial head that isn't working, resulting in weak plantar flexion.  This causes me to limp when I walk and my right leg gets very tired, followed by my left leg for picking up the slack.  I also cannot run very well.  Did the neurosurgeon take this too lightly?  Should I be considering surgery to avoid permenant nerve damage, or is it already too late?

[joalex]

My husband is experiencing very similar symptoms as you described.  He is going to see a neurologist in a few weeks time.  He thought his problem started with extreme cramp one night that just would not go away and soon after he had a problem with muscle weakness in the right leg particularly lifting back  (or kicking back) there was very little strength in the calf muscle.  He has had this now for nearly a year.  First of all he was given some physio but that did nothing and now the next thing is the appointmen with the neurologist.  We should keep in touch to see how you and he progress with this one.

[missywv]

I  have L5 nerve compression, but my weakness is mostly in my thigh and foot.  Only recently have I started having tingling sensations in my calf.  I started physical therapy about 8 weeks ago and have really noticed a difference in my thigh.  While I do still have problems raising that leg from a side position (the exercise is a sideways "clam") I have noticed a huge improvement in squatting and walking.  I don't think that the muscles in that leg will ever be completely normal, but therapy seems to have halted the process and I'm not getting any worse (Thank goodness!)   My neurosurgeon has suggested doing everything possible to avoid surgery and in my case, I believe that is the best course of action for now.  

If you try physical therapy (or other treatments) to improve your leg function and you do get better - you would then know that the choice to avoid surgery was the best one.

Good luck!  

[satti123]

i have been sufering from calf muscle weakness since 3 years. it is soo week that i cannot stand neither on heels nor on toes. The problem started with pain in left hip joint. now the pain is almost subsided but rarely. when ever i move my left foot the hip joint seems to get affected(uneasy). No problem with my right hip joint. My biopsy test revealed that i am sufering from chronic axonopathy.all the other tests are normal including MRI.i met many nuorophysians but they couldnot clear the problem.

can i regain strenth thru exercises or in any other way possible??? what are the exercises i need to practise??

[satti123]

forgot to say one thing i developed limp since i have the problem... if i walk for longer distances my left hip joint develops slight pain...