Drop Foot Frustrations

[fchisco]

Hi everyone, could you describe in your own word what drop foot is to you? and also tell me what is your biggest frustration with drop foot? What is your biggest fear about it? If you have tried to use any treatments or devices do you think these help you or did you find that they frustrated you? Also if you would like please share your personal story.

I am looking into an idea that I believe will benefit patients with drop, but I would to like hear from you what is your biggest pain, your biggest frustrations anything that you would like to share I want to know. Thank you kindly.  

[Shayron1012]

Foot drop to me is - devastating. Biggest fear - that it will never improve and I'll never walk normally again.  I used to walk 15,000+ steps a day.  

My foot drop started with a foot injury (insertional peroneus brevis tendonitis) in April 2016 that made me walk incorrectly and caused lower back pain.  I was in terrible pain in May 2016. I fell 3xs before I realized there was anything wrong with my foot gait.  I was diagnosed with foot drop in June.  After x-rays, MRI, and EMG it was determined I only had degenerative disc disease with no bulges or herniations.  I have very little ankle dorsiflexion and cannot walk heel-to-toe on my left foot.  I've seen several orthopedists who want to do spinal fusion surgery with a long and difficult recovery and no guarantee of success.  I have been prescribed a full ankle AFO but haven't gotten it yet.  I don't want to "give in" to that yet.  Currently seeing a chiro who practices acupuncture and have had a little improvement.  

I'm very interested if anyone has had success with home exercises, vitamins, etc.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  I'm having a bad day today and feeling sorry for myself.  But I will never give up hope on getting better.