Dearest Neurotalk friends,

I have progressing atrophy of my legs, and my ankles are turning in and my knees are knocking.

Has this happened to any of you? Should I try wearing some sort of braces to stop this?

I have also begun to resort to a walker when I am out and will have a long walk to the doctor's office or whatever.

I am feeling a bit desperate a this condition (Idiopathic PN, and Small Fiber Neuropathy) is changing my life now.

My knees are also hurting and I wonder if having my knee replacement will help at all with my walking?

As you can tell I am feeling discouraged.

I also recently read an article about the atrophy of the brain as a result of the loss of stimulation from nerves in the feet and legs.

What? Please let me get no worse.

Hugs, ElaineD

I was so hoping someone here would know about neuropathy atrophy and about braces.

Hugs, ElaineD

to stop wasting. I lost 60 lbs (was fat to begin) and had to go to a walker. It was explained to me that conditions that involve muscle wasting usually have a "critical phase" that will run its coarse and stop. Mine was Amyotrophy. As far as braces I have no experience but remember that my Chiropractor was pretty savvy on motion,walking, etc. Maybe you could get some help thatway. Good Luck, Ken in Texas.

Hi, I probably started wear a knee SUPPORT about 20 yrs ago for right knee...I was still going to my gym into my mid 60's....I still wear a support daily and now I'm working with a magnetic support...not a brace per se, but supports.

Since hip replacement my knee is so worse hence the continuing knee supports and many topicals and joint supplements.

Then because of knee mess, foot/ankle is all worse so I wear supports on my ankle and topicals too.

I wear a back support and have been for probably 20 yrs too -- lower back issues have been a part of me for about 60 yrs.

I know our issues are different I think, but this is what I work with.

I'm doing all to do NO knee surgery, hip did me in and I fear a KNIFE to my body.

My main issue for me is Osteoarthritis.

This is my story, ElaineD... C

Thanks Ken. It just seems to be something that isn't posted about much....atrophy and braces. I know they do braces for foot drop, and I do have this.

The atrophy has occurred about 8-9 years after the neuropathy started. It is idiopathic (Probably related to my Immune Disorder).

I just don't want it to progress, but I feel so 'disabled' with the pain of my arthritic knees and the instability of my PN.

Oh well....I do my best. We don't 'get out alive' do we?



Hugs, ElaineD

I use braces for foot drop and would say yes to your question of braces to keep your feet and knees in proper position. IMO I think it's worse for your whole body to have these things out if alignment, and will just keep causing more problems as other body parts have to compensate for the ones that are weak and unable to function properly.
I held off as long as possible before resorting to braces for foot drop, but now that I wear them, I am so glad to have them. Walking is so much easier with them, my gait is better, speed is better, the rest of my body is not so tired from compensating for the weakened calve muscles.
Google them and see what is available "off the shelf" I find these to be lighter and less bulky than custom made ones. I like the carbon fiber braces.

Hi Elaine,

I don't have PN but CRPS, a close cousin I suppose...and have survived multiple foot operations and major nerve damage. My physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist was opposed to me personally going into a brace except as a last resort. They help hold position but will contribute to atrophy since you are no longer doing the work yourself. I would council moderation and a PT consult. There must be exercises that you can do to help keep the muscles stimulated and the nerves getting motor signal. Consider doing aquatherapy so gravity is not also an issue. You can really get a lot of muscle work and stimulation in the water. I should know, I was non-weightbearing on crutches for nine months and on a scooter for a year.

Keep at it no matter what and don't give up hope. For the longest time all the reps I did on PT exercises seemed to go nowhere but they were preventing further loss. Eventually, oh it was slow, I did start to build some muscle back. It took months but sometimes stubbornness is a virtue!

I am sorry you are dealing with so much. We all know how exhausting it can be. We are here for you.

Hi Elaine,

I I'm new to this forum and was surprised when I read this post. I didn't realize small fiber PN could cause muscle weakness and loss of bulk muscle ?

Do you have muscle fasciculations along with your muscle atrophy in your feet ankles and calves as well ?

I've had fascis for over 15 years and had 3 EMG's back about 12 to 13 years ago and they mentioned I might have small fiber neuropathy. I never followed up with testing once I had a clean EMG. So here I am 15 years later and I'm seeing muscle weakness in the feet and calves.

I recently had a knee replacement due to years of sports injuries to the knee and I can tell you the rehab has been rough. I'm still without a DX of anything other than benign fasciculations. If you have muscle weakness in your legs I can tell you the rehab will be a long road and painful. I'm still walking with a cane when I leave the house and its been 7 months since the surgery.

Have a good day,

Ken

--small fiber neuropathy will NOT result in muscle wasting/weakness; in fact, since small fibers subsume the sensations of pain, temperature and autonomic functions, and not motor functions, one of the distinguishing characteristics of small fiber syndromes is lack of motor symptoms.

That having been said, many of the conditions that can result in small fiber syndromes can have effects on muscle as well, but in those both the small fiber and muscle problems are secondary to the condition (i.e., diabetic amytrophy and neuropathy, mitochondrial syndromes).

And, the very fact of the symptoms can lead to people wanting to move less, be less active, and to be more fatigued more easily. That lack of use is more likely to result in muscle atrophy than the neuropathy itself.

AND--there are neuropathies that are primarily small-fiber with some large fiber component, in which deterioration of motor nerves can result in muscle weakness and wasting.

I have profound peripheral neuropathy in my feet and legs.

I have small fiber neuropathy in my arms, hands, fingers, face, lips and tongue.

The pain, tingling, burning, stabbing and itching of SFN is controlled fairly well with 3600 MG of gabapentin.

Regards, ElaineD