I'm not sure if I have the "I" or "II" type, as you describe. Have had it off and on for years, though. That anterior tibialis muscle is weak on me, and often it spasms, as well. And sometimes during that spasm, I'll have fasciculations near the insertion of that muscle (as opposed to the origin). But my calves spasm more often, and more powerfully.
I fail the tandem walking (I know, cerebellar cr@p), but then my neuro asks me to walk on my toes (I'm good at that), and then on just my heels. I simply can't do that. I can't lift my feet up, let alone walk on my heels.
Best description I've heard, and also the one that makes it most clear to me that I did indeed have this, the first type, with the foot slapping down like I was wearing a flipper, back when I was having all my other symptoms. Also, I know even more surely that the superneuro so-called MS expert who did my 3rd neurological exam was evidently paying little attention, as my drag-the-heel-along-the-shin line looked like the Great Wall of China, among other things. His notes contradict what I saw with my own eyes.
Also, Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance does not recognize these AFO's as proven therapy and will NOT pay for them. I don't know about other insurers.
Hey Q,
I'm limping through the posts tonight after a busy weekend and find this excellent piece. This is something I believe almost all of us seem to have affect us, some more than others.
You are tweaking this for a health page, right? - Lu
Quix, thanks for your (as usual) very helpful explanation.
I meant to post this before, but I am so far behind on everything in my life at the moment...
Anyway, I got a letter from the Bioness people and they're having a half off sale on refurbished L300 foot drop systems--only $2900. I got this a while ago so they may be out by now, but if you're interested, call them at 1-800-211-9136 option 2.
sho
So is the damage in the nerves seen in foot drop due from the damage inside the CNS 1st (as it relates to MSers)?
Sorry..another question.
Can you have a mixture of both types of foot drops I & II ? I do have alot of spasticity, but I also suffer from weakness on the left side.
I recently started PT and I do have foot drop on the left side where I have most of my issues. My foot will lock up both ways...I can't bring it all the way downward (away from me & straight out) and I can't bring it up towards me (point my foot and toes up ).
I do see some improvement after PT for a few hours if I have a muscle relaxer on board with bringing my foot in a downward position & straight out, but so far, I still can't bring my foot up towards me. It stops like my foot is flat on the ground and won't budge past that point.
The improvement I do see is short lived..it will lock back up within a few hours after PT and I trip over runners on the floor. If I try to do the neuro test where you walk on your heels..I fail on the left side..always. There is no lift.
Is my problem with bringing my foot all the way downward and straight out..is that a foot drop problem as well? They started to put me on a slant board at PT and I did get a little of a response with bringing my foot all the way down..just nothing with bringing the foot all the way up towards me. I guess this all takes time? Maybe I need an AFO?
The Heel-down-the-Shin test is a test of smooth coordination and tests each side of the cerebellum. In cerebellar damage (lesion) the heel cannot move smoothly in a straight line down the shin. It wavers from one side to the other.
Weakness in certain muscle groups can make the test hard to perform.
My first sign that I was developing foot-drop was going up carpeted stairs. I could see that the toe of the right foot would touch the edge of the stair and leave a mark against the nap of the carpet. As the weeks went by the mark got wider and deeper and eventually I could feel the brush against the edge of the step even through my shoe.
Then I started tripping.
the "slap-footed" walk sounds suspiciously like drop foot. Try walking through firm sand and see if there is a mark where the toe drags.
Q
I'm not sure if this ties into your post or not.
During a neuro exam, what are they looking for when one is asked to place the heel of one foot on the opposing knee and drag it down the shin?
I know that I did not do well with this one yesterday and had to repeat it several times for the doc. She finally had me repeat it not from the knee, but from mid shin down with my right leg over the left leg. I do have more problems on the right side of my body than the left.
I also told her that I noticed that I have been walking more flat or slap footed over the past month.
I worked with someone years ago who had MS and he definitely had drop foot. From what you describe, I don't have drop foot, but probably something else.