Foot Drop revisited - good news & even better news

[Martin Canty]

Last December I was diagnosed with Foot Drop, a condition which one is unable to flex the foot properly & therefore causes an awkward gait when walking & made it tough to walk on anything but paved surfaces. Seeing as I love walking the dogs in the woods behind my house the fear of tripping or turning an ankle was pretty high & it didn't make walking the dogs as enjoyable as it should be.

The condition was getting progressively worse through to February, with neuropathy developing. Not good.....

However, in February, I took up Yoga, really enjoyed it & except for balancing poses where I can barely hold a balance with just my left foot on the ground.

Move forward to March & I got to see a neurologist who diagnosed the cause as being a back problem, couple of tests later & it was diagnosed as being pinched nerve in the L4-L5 area... Physical Therapy recommended as for the neuropathy I was advised to keep my BG under control. A couple of weeks later, at my PT evaluation the Physical Therapist evaluated my Neuropathy further & determined that it was a back problem in the S1 area. Good News indeed.

Now, at the beginning of May I have noticed that both problems appear to be going away & have been doing so for many weeks Even better news as Google did nothing to console my despair, particularly as I have several active pursuits which, by their nature, do not involve paved surfaces....

Reflecting back I see a correlation between this gradual improvement & Yoga (don't get me wrong I think the PT is also helping). The deep stretching poses appear to be helping loosen things up in my lower back.
🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

 

[Martin Canty]

Darn it, I proof read everything except the title.....

 

[Dollypolly]

Brilliant news and I thought you meant gout for some reason 😉

 

[Stitch147]

Excellent news, hope the improvement continues. I did wonder what goot drop was!

 

[Copepod]

I'll change title for you Goot Drop to Foot Drop. @Martin Canty

 

[Martin Canty]

I'll change title for you Goot Drop to Foot Drop

Much appreciated

 

[Ljc]

That's brilliant news.
I thought the title was eye catching 🙂

 

[Northerner]

Martin, that really is excellent news - you must be so happy and relieved! 🙂 I seem to remember that we had another member in the past who had the same situation - diagnosed as neuropathy, but turned out to be a back problem - so perhaps something we can all bear in mind to ask the question to get that investigated 🙂

Really great to hear! 🙂

 

[Bloden]

That's 'sehr goot' news, Martin. 😛

 

[Greyhound Gal]

Great news Martin. Really pleased for you. Enjoy those dog walks again 🙂

 

[KookyCat]

That's brilliant news🙂 I'm a big fan of yoga been doing since I was in single figures because a very good physio suggested it might be good for my hypermobility. I also do Pilates for muscle strength and whilst I can't be sure I do think it's helped me to stay mobile when others with less severe EDS struggle so much. I also love the absorption of it all, being totally consumed is good for the soul I reckon. Glad you've got a good outcome and hope you continue to enjoy the yoga 🙂

 

[Steff]

Really great news Martin pleased for you

 

[trophywench]

Wish I could find a yoga class anywhere round here ....

It's brill for relaxation generally, concentrating on breathing in whatever way the exercise requires, more than anything else, becomes absorbing ......

 

[mikeyB]

That is fantastic news, Martin. Considering how well you've been doing with the diabetes, it must have been disheartening to think it was a diabetic neuropathy. Now that a good old fashioned spinal problem has been identified as a cause, open a bottle of bubbly.🙂

And don't let any enthusiastic surgeon anywhere near your back. That way lies madness.😱

 

[Martin Canty]

And don't let any enthusiastic surgeon anywhere near your back. That way lies madness

Thanks Mike, that was the advice of my neurologist as well

 

[Wirrallass]

Last December I was diagnosed with Foot Drop, a condition which one is unable to flex the foot properly & therefore causes an awkward gait when walking & made it tough to walk on anything but paved surfaces. Seeing as I love walking the dogs in the woods behind my house the fear of tripping or turning an ankle was pretty high & it didn't make walking the dogs as enjoyable as it should be.

The condition was getting progressively worse through to February, with neuropathy developing. Not good.....

However, in February, I took up Yoga, really enjoyed it & except for balancing poses where I can barely hold a balance with just my left foot on the ground.

Move forward to March & I got to see a neurologist who diagnosed the cause as being a back problem, couple of tests later & it was diagnosed as being pinched nerve in the L4-L5 area... Physical Therapy recommended as for the neuropathy I was advised to keep my BG under control. A couple of weeks later, at my PT evaluation the Physical Therapist evaluated my Neuropathy further & determined that it was a back problem in the S1 area. Good News indeed.

Now, at the beginning of May I have noticed that both problems appear to be going away & have been doing so for many weeks Even better news as Google did nothing to console my despair, particularly as I have several active pursuits which, by their nature, do not involve paved surfaces....

Reflecting back I see a correlation between this gradual improvement & Yoga (don't get me wrong I think the PT is also helping). The deep stretching poses appear to be helping loosen things up in my lower back.
🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

This is such great news Martin - keep up with the yoga - it's obviously contributing to your health and well being - as too is the physiotherapy - hoping you'll see more improvements as the weeks pass - we are all lending our support so please stay in touch as to your progress - looking forward to hearing that you are enjoying dog walkies again in the woods - but please tread carefully at first. Take care x
WL