Does foot drop come and go?

[PastorDan]

Frequently, especially recently, I've noticed my feet slapping down against the floor as I walk.  It seems as though my heel hits the floor first, and then the rest of the foot just flops down, rather than that more typical (& more graceful) rolling motion.  It seems to be most frequent when my balance is also acting up more than usual (like today).

Anyone?

[Limeybean]

Hi - I too have MS.  Have you heard of LDN?  The hormone you're mentioning iare endorphins, and that drug, LDN, , although, not initially meant for MS has helped so many of us!  

Lisa

[Sailorsong]

What you described in your post is foot drop. The foot drop term is really not a good expression of what actually happens. With foot drop it is that your foot doesn't lift up correctly while walking but I guess it is easier to say "foot drop" than "foot not lifting up". LOL.  

When a doctor notes a foot drop condition it is because people will either be dragging their foot ( i.e. worn out sole of shoe) or walking parrot like ( lift their leg very high).

Dennis

[SarahL2491]

my food just slides rather than picks up, so am wearing out the sole on one foot, rather than the front dipping down.  Perhaps this is an unconscious way of dealing with the front dipping?  The right food just doesn't understand that its supposed to lift off the ground

[glorivi]

Thank you for charing this imformation about your foot drop, I may have MS, and my foot droped last week on wednesday when my left side of body went weak and numb, today is back to normal, I had read it could be permanent or temporary, but I never thought will go back to almost normal soon, I'm happy for that, now I know because of you, my foot drop is normal is not that I'm crazy, like one of my doctor said and Yes MS is more a posibilty in mi life.

[RedFlame]

I'm so glad you posted this thread!  I have been trying to figure out what is happening to my feet and what my doctor wrote on my last report.

First of all, why do the doctors push down on your feet in that brisk manner.  If I recall correctly, my feet gave no resistance but returned to the same pointed toes down position.  

She wrote in her that  'toes point down bilaterally'.  Is that a normal finding I assume?

thanks,   Red

toes point up

[haggai2010]

Hello,

I have had MS for 20 years.  Foot drag was one of the first symptoms along with optic neuritis (screened vision in one eye), severe exhaustion, balance problems and weakness in my legs.  I have taken Betaseron for 12 years -- the first 7 years were excellent -- it helped me to walk again.  The last 5 years were very difficult -- the Betaseron weakened my immune system and I ended up with infections called Cellulitis, and I would have to be hospitalized to get antibiotics via IV or for surgery to remove abscesses from injections.

I am no longer taking any medication -- and I still have the foot drop/drag condition BUT I have started walking on a treadmill, and over time, I am now walking for 90 minutes a  night, 5 or 6  nights a week, and going about 4 miles. When I feel the foot drag condition starting, I slow down or take a break.  After I cool down, I walk again until I complete the 90 minutes.  I read where the chemical we produce when we exercise actually heals the lesions in our myelin sheaths on our brains and spines.  I am doing much better since I started exercising -- but I never thought I would be able to do this when my symptoms were active.

I started walking to try to reduce stress -- my ex-husband is mentally ill with Bipolar and Schizophrenia.  Even with the stress of the divorce, I have continued the walking as it is an excellent way to reduce the stress.  I hope this may help you -- God is so good!!

[Erin0313]

Hi :) Great question and timing

I was told by my neuro that I had foot drop on the left and that it was time for the AFO so that I wouldn't trip as often. I gave in and do wear it some.

Like the others I can tell a difference depending on the shoes and some days are worse than others.

Last week I was in the ER during an MS flare and the ER doctor told me that I don't have foot drop. I was too miserable to question him at the time but later wondered if he was disputing the findings and need for an AFO or just saying that it wasn't "dropped" while he examined me in my comfy (ha ha) hospital bed.

Thanks for asking - it's good to know I'm still not crazy

Hugs,
Erin :)

[LATW]

I am so glad you posted!  I was starting to think I was the only one or nuts!!

I wear new balance or addidas.  both work well for me.

I got over the vain part of me when I figured out how much my AFO's help me!

LA dx'd

[michelleric]

I meant walking more normal.  By the way, I got a new pair of shoes that the orthodist recommended. They are a New Balance shoe, and have also been helping me immensely.   Michelle

[michelleric]

Hi PD,

My foot drop is always there, but sometimes worse than others. I only have it with my right foot, and recently started wearing an AFO. It is a love/hate relationship. I hate how it looks (the vainess in me). but LOVES how much it helps me. It is  HUGE improvement for me. I have given up looking "normal" and traded it in for working more "normal". Whatever normal might be.

Michelle

[supermum_ms]

I first experienced foot drop in my early 30's, at the time i also had the weird tingle in my left hand, inconsitent double vision and chillblains without a reason. The GP explained that women abuse their feet by wearing high heels and that was my problem, is it secretly yours he he he. on a side note the same GP told me my ammune system was over active and causing the chilblains, said my ammune system was inaffect attacking healthy tisue, looking back this seems interesting to note.

I dont have consistent footdrop, only during an episode, it starts by me kicking the floor, leg feels heavy, progresses to sliding the foot because it wont lift, to imobility. My mum lovingly tells me she hears me coming, i walk very heavy footed heel toe, now when i was doing a good impersonation of a string puppet i was toe walking because my foot would not flatten when ever i took a step, flat if i stood though, i dont know why it wouldn't behave. I did consider going back to wearing heels, at least then it wouldn't look so daft. She did note that every now and then my foot would drop and instead of just looking like a puppet, i'd look like a puppet who'd had too much to drink, ta mum.

Shoes, my god i've got a ton of them, not because i have a fetish but because they make a huge difference during an episode, i could toss the lot, i only wear one pair. Slippy soles are dangerous, grip soles are dangerous, heels are out, flexi soles with just the right amount of grip and slip are the only things i can wear. Shoes do matter, if i wear a solid sole that has little to no flex i seem to walk like i'm wearing concrete blocks and its tiring.

Probably not that helpful sorry!

Cheers.....JJ

[Deb61]

Lulu is absolutely correct.  The soles of your shoes may make it seem like it's worse.  I nearly fell on my face yesterday in front of the entire sixth grade class!  Some of the kids were snickering, and I was absolutely mortified . . . All because the soles of my shoes were more sticky than the others.  

[cainer]

yes it comes and goes 4 me anyway. sometimes pretty rough 2 walk. then toes want 2 turn inward . but so far it will clear up!!!   smile!!!! tick123

[puppythreads]

My right foot drops occasionally, not on a daily basis, but once a week or so.  Just my toes tip down when I least expect it and catch on the carpet. It is so subtle I dont realize what has happened until after the fact.  I thought I was just being inattentive, but now I think it could be related to the rest of the MS stuff.

[Lulu54]

The type of sole on the shoe is also a factor - avoid the gum soles or rubber soles that can stick on the floor.  I was told to buy leather soled shoes, but I'm afraid I would break my neck in them because they are so slippery! :-)

Anything that keeps the front edge of the foot from catching is beneficial.

[LATW]

Wow, my AFO's have been a huge help to me.  Even with them on I still catch my toes on the steps but it is so much better than it was.

The other benefit I have found is when I am sitting and relaxing the AFO's keep my foot from pulling down when I am having a spasm.  

Everyone is different in what helps them.

LA

[Lil Bo Peep]

Mine comes and goes.  I tried the AFO for one day and said forget it.  My PT told me to wear sneakers that bend rather than the rigid ones I had been wearing.  So far so good.

[LATW]

Well for me my foot drop involved my toes hitting the floor before the rest of my foot.  I would trip and sometimes fall.  The steps are really bad.

Mine has not gone and that is why I have the AFO's.  I was feeling pretty good yesterday even though my emotions were out of whack.

Today I am a rag. Not for any reason but the ups and downs of this.

I am not sure if it comes and goes.  Interesting question.  

LA  MS dx'd 2008

[slightlybroken]

I have weakness on my whole left side. My left leg is really effected by this. Some days it does seems to be worse, depending on how much movement I've done. The more it seems I do, the weaker the leg gets. I've been walking with a limp for almost a year now.

My doctors seem to think I do have a slight foot drop. My toes will not point upwards and my ankle will not either. My right side can, and there is a big difference in the way these two legs act. When the doctors have pulled on my feet/toes and I had to fight against them, the left toes/feet have no strength and fall down every time.

I've notice when I'm having more problems with it because I'll trip over the most ridiculous things (things that you should be able to clear if you are walking correctly). Watch your step and see about getting a doctor to confirm what you are seeing. People with foot drop have difficulty walking on their heels also. The neuros usually have you do this in the office as one of their test.

Take Care