Aa
No diagnosis or prognosis for Drop Foot
Hi,
I'm writing from Ireland and hoping for some help. 18 months ago, my wife (30 yrs old) suffered drop foot and significant atrophy of the muscles in her left leg (from hip down).She has had several EMG tests, a lumbar puncture, MRI & CT scan's (no MRN) but her consultants have been unable to diagnose either the cause of the problem or site of damage. She did not suffer any trauma or undergo any operative procedures prior to developing this condition. Otherwise she is perfectly healthy. There is no history of similiar problems in her family. She now cannot walk unaided and has no rehabilitation prescribed. Our consultants are unable to advise if she will ever recover any function in her foot. We are completely in the dark as to how to proceed. I would be extremely grateful if any advice could be offered. We would gladly travel to the US if we thought there was any possibility of identifying the issue and/or possibly resolving the problem. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
I'm writing from Ireland and hoping for some help. 18 months ago, my wife (30 yrs old) suffered drop foot and significant atrophy of the muscles in her left leg (from hip down).She has had several EMG tests, a lumbar puncture, MRI & CT scan's (no MRN) but her consultants have been unable to diagnose either the cause of the problem or site of damage. She did not suffer any trauma or undergo any operative procedures prior to developing this condition. Otherwise she is perfectly healthy. There is no history of similiar problems in her family. She now cannot walk unaided and has no rehabilitation prescribed. Our consultants are unable to advise if she will ever recover any function in her foot. We are completely in the dark as to how to proceed. I would be extremely grateful if any advice could be offered. We would gladly travel to the US if we thought there was any possibility of identifying the issue and/or possibly resolving the problem. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
I'm a 41 year old female and have had undiagnosed foot drop for 2 years. Had a lumbar MRI and nerve test that all came back normal. I have tried everything under the sun as far as alternative/natural from Chiro,Accupuncture, stretching, exercise, massage and also using an inversion table. I am currently trying Biocranial. It all started with pain beginning in buttock/hip radiating down left leg. I also have numbness/tingling down inside of right leg to inside of foot and first 2 toes. I also have vibrations/crawling sensations down backs of both legs when sitting, and tingling in upper buttocks while standing. I workout regularly (as I was doing when this all began. When I lay down at night the tingling/pins and needles/numbness get worse, especially if I lay on my back. MS, thyroid, and vit. B definciency have also been ruled out. Anybody got any suggestions? I am very frustrated as I have inadequate health insurance and don't know where to turn.
I developed foot drop following a road traffic accident and major surgery eleven years ago. I was told that this was as a result of fractured tibia and fibula on my right leg. However I have learnt since that this damage can be the result of surgery also. I have nerve conduction studies done several times but never received the results of these. Rehab was non existent and when I returned to the hospital last year for an assessment I was asked what was I doing there and what did I expect them to do for me.
I am also in Ireland and from reading some of the posts here it is becoming clear that in this country we are expected to just "live with it". There is a device I have read about which is a tiny implant which stimulates the nerve and thus makes walking easier. I have had a few falls as a result of this drop foot and broken my wrist in one such fall.
I wrote to a doctor in the US who does nerve grafting and if I may I will send the details to the gentleman for his wife. For me it is too late for nerve grafting as it is 11 years since I sustained this foot drop. I was also referred to a doctor in the UK who does tendon grafting but when I asked the doctor here in Ireland if this would be an answer to my problem he said I have no tendon to graft anything onto.
It is important that you get whatever help you can for your wife as soon as possible as the longer nothing is done the harder it is to find a solution.
Regards
Kathy
I am also in Ireland and from reading some of the posts here it is becoming clear that in this country we are expected to just "live with it". There is a device I have read about which is a tiny implant which stimulates the nerve and thus makes walking easier. I have had a few falls as a result of this drop foot and broken my wrist in one such fall.
I wrote to a doctor in the US who does nerve grafting and if I may I will send the details to the gentleman for his wife. For me it is too late for nerve grafting as it is 11 years since I sustained this foot drop. I was also referred to a doctor in the UK who does tendon grafting but when I asked the doctor here in Ireland if this would be an answer to my problem he said I have no tendon to graft anything onto.
It is important that you get whatever help you can for your wife as soon as possible as the longer nothing is done the harder it is to find a solution.
Regards
Kathy
developed drop on dec27 when I had hip surgery the same day. I cam move my toes and can only raise my ankle part way, will I ever have full recovery and not have to wear this brace.
Just wondering how you got on with this as have a relation who is having a similar issue. ALso see there was some info from a neurologist and wondered whether you followed this up. Wishing you all the best
Muscle weakness and atrophy in one limb is suggestive of a problem with the peripheral nerve or anterior horn cell (the site of origin of the peripheral motor neuron in the spinal cord) in that limb.
The pattern of weakness/muscles affected on the examination and EMG usually allow one to define where along this path is the damage occurring - so for a drop foot it could be a L5 root nerve, lumbar plexus or the sciatic nerve, or common peroneal nerve ie the path that the nerve to hold up the foot takes from the spinal cord to the foot. Once the location of the injury is identified, the potential causes for a problem in that area can be made depending on the location - ie common causes for a drop foot can be a lumbar disc compressing the L5 nerve root, a psoas muscle hematoma compressing the lumbar plexus, a growth compressing the sciatic nerve, or external compression at the knee causing common peroneal nerve injury.
There is a set of common causes for each location. More rarely, there is a number of more systemic diseases that can cause peripheral nerve injury such as diabetes, sarcoid, Lyme, autoimmune syndromes etc(like polyarteritis or Churg-Strauss syndrome) that can be tested for. I cannot be more specific in your case without knowing more about your wife, and I cannot give a formal medical opinion over the internet.
Unless the injury produces only 'demyelination' or loss of the nerve insulation, there is usually some degeneration of the nerve itself "axonal degeneration" which has the potential to be a permanent injury, particularly if the injury and deficit are present for over 12 months.
While travelling to a neuromuscular center in the US (such as the Cleveland Clinic) for an opinion can be readily done (but expensive), there is a neuromuscular specialist in Ireland who trained at the Cleveland Clinic Neuromuscular Center - Dr. Brian Murray at the Blackrock Clinic.
The pattern of weakness/muscles affected on the examination and EMG usually allow one to define where along this path is the damage occurring - so for a drop foot it could be a L5 root nerve, lumbar plexus or the sciatic nerve, or common peroneal nerve ie the path that the nerve to hold up the foot takes from the spinal cord to the foot. Once the location of the injury is identified, the potential causes for a problem in that area can be made depending on the location - ie common causes for a drop foot can be a lumbar disc compressing the L5 nerve root, a psoas muscle hematoma compressing the lumbar plexus, a growth compressing the sciatic nerve, or external compression at the knee causing common peroneal nerve injury.
There is a set of common causes for each location. More rarely, there is a number of more systemic diseases that can cause peripheral nerve injury such as diabetes, sarcoid, Lyme, autoimmune syndromes etc(like polyarteritis or Churg-Strauss syndrome) that can be tested for. I cannot be more specific in your case without knowing more about your wife, and I cannot give a formal medical opinion over the internet.
Unless the injury produces only 'demyelination' or loss of the nerve insulation, there is usually some degeneration of the nerve itself "axonal degeneration" which has the potential to be a permanent injury, particularly if the injury and deficit are present for over 12 months.
While travelling to a neuromuscular center in the US (such as the Cleveland Clinic) for an opinion can be readily done (but expensive), there is a neuromuscular specialist in Ireland who trained at the Cleveland Clinic Neuromuscular Center - Dr. Brian Murray at the Blackrock Clinic.
Your most welcome, you should hear from Mr Wicks shortly, good luck & best wishes.
Hi, my cousin also had a drop foot and came to the Mayo Clinic for a week and was diagnosed with Vasculitis. It was a result of her having Lupus. I don't know if this helps at all, but she is healthy otherwise also and it sounded very similar to her.
Thanks motheroftwo. The Lumbar puncture came back clear & nothing was highlighted in the MRI. Numerous blood tests also showed no abnormalities. The EMG's showed obvious weakness in nerve conduction in the leg, but the site of the damage and the reason is still unknown. Naturally we are becoming increasingly nervous given the duration of the problem and current lack of direction. I would appreciate if you could offer any advice as to how to get referred to see a Neurologist in London. Thanks in advance, fmccague
Hi fmccague, I have spoken to a researcher at kings in regards to your wifes case, Please can I ask what your email address is ? I'm sure he will contact you personally and point you & your wife in the right direction.
Best wishes
Best wishes
Hi, Did all tests come back normal/clear ?
I would suggest you contact Kings college in London for your wife to see a neuro.
Good Luck
I would suggest you contact Kings college in London for your wife to see a neuro.
Good Luck
Thanks again motheroftwo. My e-mail address is ***@****. I look forward to hearing from the college. Your assistance is very much appreciated....fmccague.
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