[lindkaye]

Hi there;
Hopefully someone can add some sense to this. Over the past week - I have fallen at least 12 times. I was never graceful - but its getting insane! Let me first explain I had a knee replacement gone bad 2 years ago - never have regained the flex or extension much. On top of that, I have RSD in the same knee & leg. Then this last year, diagnosed finally with MS. As I am walking it seems like I am lifting up my leg and foot, but my foot is not really lifting and I am catching it on everything and anything and down I go. The worst one was last weekend when I face planted right in front of my husband. I try not to go down on my knee so of course everything else gets hit - this time my face. With my extension and flex not the greatest its been difficult walking - but I use my cane, but lately that hasn't helped much. I don't think my flex is getting worse though. I really don't understand much about "drop foot" with MS. Could it be that maybe? Plus, I don't know who to see. My ortho doesn't really want to see me as he says not much more they can do for my knee. I have a pain management dr for the RSD, a primary care dr and my MS neurologist. Any ideas? How do you know when it is something you should call your MS nuerologist on? Thanks for any ideas. My daughter offered me her roller blade pads - hehe.

[Erin524]

I'd talk to the neuro about it as soon as you can.

They have a...trying to think of the right word...a brace? that you wear on your leg that keeps your foot in a position where it wont "drop" and make you trip over yourself.

Maybe something like that would help you? Ask your neuro.

[Raglet]

sounds like you need an AFO - ankle foot orthotic - also known as a foot drop brace.

If you are tripping over your foot, then you may have a foot drop. I do not have MS, but the sort of lupus I have has a lot in common with MS really. I have a bilarteral foot drop and wear two AFO's. They really help prevent me from falling over my feet.

You may need to get a referal to an OT (or orthoticist, or whatever they are called - I can't say it let alone spell it).

cheers
raglet

[Blessings2You]

You've got the good advice already, and I agree. My Dad had foot drop, and I occasionally have the problem also. He called it "tripping over the pattern in the lineoleum", and that's about what it is. You think your leg is picking up your foot, but it doesn't, and WHAP! That's why I don't move very fast.

Not to joke about your situation, but your thread title made me think:

On a binge of falling down, falling down, falling down,
On a binge of falling down, my fair lady.

(sorry)

[Kitty]

Yep.....I've got the same problem but it's my balance that's shot. If I move too quickly or turn around and move at the same time I'm hugging the floor.

When I used to trip on nothing at work whoever saw me would say "carpet monster" and just keep going...... At least it taught me to have a sense of humor about it. But, I know your situation isn't funny in the least and I hope you can get some relief somehow.

[Snoopy]

Hi, lindkaye,

It does sound like foot drop. Physical therapy might help (PT) but it also might be time for some sort of brace or a walker.

Here are a couple of links that might help:

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/f.../foot_drop.htm

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/abo...ems/index.aspx

I have had foot drop since I was a kid. I would get in trouble for scuffing up the toes of my shoes and told to pick my feet up when I walk. I kept trying to tell my mother I couldn't and I wasn't doing it on purpose. Didn't matter, I got hit and yelled at for wasting her money on perfectly good shoes

I have always *caught* my feet on rugs, plastic that is down to protect the floor when painting and basicly *anything* or *nothing.* Our bank just put in stone tiles which are not level, they have indentations like worn stone. I hate it. I have to be very careful everytime I go in (no drive thru).

I am very aware of where I am walking and make really sure I am lifting my feet enough to clear an object which can be difficult in many cases.

[SallyC]

I'd like to borrow several of your DD's roller blade pads, please..

Good advise all around..Feel better..

[DM]

I hate it when that happens! I fall a little more than I'd like myself. Actually once is too many times. My R side is my weaker side and sometimes I don't get my foot picked up high enough to clear the floor, as you stated. I also have numbness in my R ft, so don't actually feel it hit the floor at times, hence BOOM, I fall. I'm thinking of putting springs on my body!

Take care and let the Neuro know this is happening.

[lindkaye]

Thanks to everyone for your advice! Guess I will be calling my neuro on Monday to talk about it. Since I am without an ortho dr for my knee at the moment, I think I will ask my neuro for a referral to the U - I have been told they have a great pain main - physio dept with a therepist that specializes in MS. I'm sure they will know about the foot drop brace. I just have a hard time knowing if my falling problem is the MS or from my knee replacement and loss of flex/extension of my knee. I am not going to PT at the moment as my husband's insurance allows only 1500.00 per year for PT of any kind - think that's about maybe 5 visits if I'm lucky ? ! ! I've joined the hospital's Gym membership - they have a large therepy pool and walking pool plus machines that I have been doing on my own to try to regain some muscle tone. In the meantime, I might invest in more knee pads to cover the whole body!! thanks again !