Foot Drop question

[Martin Canty]

Well, as an early Christmas pressie I got a referral to a neural consultant about a condition known as foot drop, unfortunately it's on Feb 22nd.....

Any ideas on how to mitigate & help the weakness in the ankle (it's like I'm wearing one snowshoe). Currently I wear a support bandage & try stretching exercises. I also have numbness across the top of the foot.

 

[mikeyB]

There's so many causes of foot drop (it's a favourite in medical final exams) that it's difficult to recommend anything other than foot support. The neurologist will have to sort this one, I'm afraid, Martin.

The only cause all the students remember in finals is tertiary syphilis. I guess that's not top of the list in this case. Not a condition to ask Dr Google about, either, you'll give yourself the willies.

 

[Martin Canty]

Not a condition to ask Dr Google about, either, you'll give yourself the willies.

Too late😱..... Though there is little mention of the prognosis Guess I'll just have to wait, in the mean time I'm treating it as though I have a sprained ankle.

 

[Pigeon]

PippaandBen posted something about this a while back, although hers was caused by a spinal operation, I think. One thing you may be referred for or could ask about is functional electrical stimulation. I did my MSc project on this and so it's a particular pet subject of mine! A clinic in Salisbury provides a service, mainly working with people who have had strokes or have MS, I spent a week there and it was really inspiring! Have a look here for some positive stories: www.odstockmedical.com

Hope you can get some help soon.

 

[Amberzak]

Hi. Nothing to add other than I have foot drop. It's one of many neurological symptoms I've been displaying and I saw a lovely neurologist after waiting about 8 months. I often fall over because of it and sometimes I can't get upstairs to bed easily and fall upstairs. I had a full spine MRI yesterday

Sorry I can't give advice.

 

[Martin Canty]

I often fall over because of it and sometimes

Sorry to hear that, it's a real PIA as the ankle just feels so unstable.... So far I have only fallen over once; my ankle gave way as I was leaning forward on the potty wiping my... um... rear-end, left a carpet burn on my nose😱 I have to be carful when moving around the office as my eldest dog likes to hang out with me when I'm working & I absolutely don't want to fall on her.