Question about foot drop
 

Hi all, and happy new year to everyone!

I have sort of a dilemma. In a few days im scheduled to see a neurosurgeon about possible lower back surgery. The doctors keep telling me that it needs to be done because I drag my right foot. But I think it may not be from my lower back problems.

I am not real sure the problem is from the lower back, or from what caused the RSD.

What I think is that back in 2000 when the femoral artery was blocked for a week, and then the terrible surgery to remove the man made clot is what caused the foot drop problem. Since I have had trouble with ankle weakness ever since.

Could that cause foot drop?

The back was hurt after the embolectomy while I was still trying to work. I picked up a full keg of beer and twisted wrong because of the leg and ankle weakness in my right leg. It hurt the back pretty bad, but like I said the leg was already bad, and the ankle was already real weak.

I cant remember if it the foot was dragging or not before the back injury or not, but suspect that it already was because the ankle has been what has been giving me the most trouble from the start.

It would be terrible to go get surgery, then find out that it wouldnt have helped. The doctors wont even listen to me about my theory, and I am hoping the surgeon will at least let me tell about my theory.

This is a pretty scary thing im confronting, and would love any input. I did not know where else to go with this, but knew this is the best place because there is so much knowledge here.

I would hate to make the RSD worse, but if this might help me out of other pains it might be a good thing???

Allentgamer.... KS here..

How are you today..After reading your thread..I am at a loss as there seems to be so many angels to be considered in your history..althought if I can add and hopefully help..but I do know pain..the relentless pain from RSD can cause dropping all in itself... I have the dragging and drop of my right foot also... I would be interested at what your surgeon has to say and contribute...sometimes I know our Dr.'s seem to be just grabbing at straws with our pain and the orgin of our problem in order to help us..when all said and done..push comes to shove..we are the ones living with this horrible disease....I am sorry..I wish I could have been a better help...I hope your day is a less painful one.....

:confused:

Allen,
Happy New Year to you!

I think you should approach this much as you would if anyone asked you for advice.
We're all mostly paranoid about surgery, getting the anesthesiologist on board to keep the rsd from spreading, etc.
That must be talked out, and should be signed on.

But, in your case, how long have you known these doctors? Are they your "regular" docs, or in conjunction with your Neuro?
Is this an orthopedic surgeon, or a neurosurgeon?
(Obvious reasons, I'd want a neurosurgeon at least in the OR with you).

I'd be really looking for another opinion if you don't "know" these doctors, and, keep looking for a better, and better doctor, even if you do know them, why?
Because You're obviously Not Comfortable with, their proposal,
and,
Their lack of listening to your theory!
(If they can't make you comfy before surgery, what are they gonna do after?)

For the Buckos they're gonna make, they ought to take 20 minutes and think it out, and talk it out with you, or however long it takes...
Ask then the TOUGH Questions! How many RSD people have they operated on?

If I were you, just by your own questions, and the tone in which you phrase them, I'd look further than the doctor(s) you have in place.
You make it sound as if you're seeing "Mass Production" surgeons, and anyone with RSD, does NOT want that! YOU don't sound comfortable with this team!

All the Best, Brother Allen!

Pete
asb

Hi Allen,
Happy New Year !
I am sorry you are facing the new year with an important decision, which, furthermore, is a dilemma.

If there is no immediate urgency for this surgery,(i.e. emergency, horrendous pain, life or death) I would, as Pete suggests,
try and get another opinion, if at all possible. I know it can offend/irritate some docs if the patient pursues a second opinion, or questions the purpose or outcome of a surgery, but there seems to be too much doubt in your own mind, to go through with the surgery, without further research, further consultations with past doctors, or a fresh perspective from a different doctor, etc.

It concerns me that the team will not hear your concerns..after all it is your body/foot, and you know best the history of your injury and condition.

It is a dilemma, but you need to proceed in a direction that you feel comfortable and confident with, assured and secure.
I hope I haven't added conflict to your dilemma...
Hope4thebest :hug:

Hi Allen, it's Loretta-I'm concerned too about your surgery. To me, you seem hesitate and not fully confident. My neuro had back surgery and talked to his professor in New York and checked out surgeons at the Barrows Neurological Institute. The surgeons technique was longer and more tedious than the normal' back surgeon' it protected the nerves-less damage.
I agree with Pete and others concerning 2nd opinion. I want my Dr. to respect my opinion and research-we need to be listened to. I know you'll consider everything to keep from getting worse. Take care, loretta with soft hugs :grouphug:

Thank you all for your great replies :hug:

I am on my second opinion lol. Seems both neurologists come up with the same answer as Dubious.

Dubious, when they did the embolectomy part of the clot (collagen plug) broke off and traveled down to the outside calf and lodged itself. The doctor told me that if he was to go after it he would destroy the leg worse than if he left it alone.

Could that have caused foot drop???

Thank you sooo much for the answers because you all are helping more than you all know! :grouphug:

Thank you sooo much!!
I will do that, and also bring this up with the surgeon. Im not sure if all of it would be worth it if the RSD gets worse. Tripping over everything all the time is annoying, but having the RSD spread or get worse scares me more than just living the way I am.

This week is a busy week with a trip to the neurosurgeon, the urologist for kidney stones, ear nose throat for the osteoma they found, and the regular doc for the monthly. :eek:

I guess it works out ok because im flying off to Florida for a few days, and at least all the appointments will be out of the way.

Back before all this happened to me I was sooo healthy, working out 4 days a week in the gym. Enjoying all that life had to offer...who knew that in one day the world could turn upside down LOL!

My heart goes out to all of you, this RSD is a world changer for sure. We just gotta keep fighting the good fight, fight for every little step forward, fight to hold the ground we fought for, and fight to just have a semi-normal day. You all are my heros, my role models. Your stories of your trials and tribulations with this dreaded RSD are my inspiration to keep fighting.

Luv you all :grouphug:

Allen....

As well as you are our role model and hero too.... Keep fighting and looking forward and know you are not alone!!!

Have a safe trip!KS:grouphug:

Hi Allen
I had surgery on my hip twice,,both times ,theres always been a chance that you will get drop foot,,the dr;s contend that if you do,it will clear up over a period[month]time,Ive met with several people thru theropy that had if for different reasons,and yes,its scarey,. there are 4 major nerves around the hip ,that sometimes get longated during surgery or the protective outer shealth of the nerve gets damaged.i know your not haveing hip surgery,but alot of people that ive met ,that went thru it,had different causes,,it can be from your back but if youve had nerve damage,thats probually the culprit,exspecially around the peroneal nereve and fermoral artey area,,If you have a collagen plug problem ,that could be the problem,,One lady had a stent put in an artery and had issues as well a racquetball player did as well.....I do commend you on the upbeat attitude,its encourageing to us, and I hope and pray that you get it straighten out,,,bobber,,,

Hi everyone! I am absolutely elated, and wanted to update everyone. :yahoo:

Saw the neurosurgeons today and they were very thorough, and says the back is not bad enough for surgery. The disc buldges to the left and all my complaints are for the right, plus it didnt look that bad to the two of them.

They had the hospital records of the embolectomy, and were more concerned with the seemingly lack of pulse in the right foot. Said I should go see a vascular doctor soon to get that checked out.

They believe most if not all of the nerve damage was from ischemia, and it would also cause the foot drop. And that the emg readings could be read as the lumbar, but also could show damage from the ischemic injury. They said it would look the same on the emg, and were pretty certain there is RSD.

I know I shouldnt be all that happy because this isnt really good news. But compared to RSD, and then RSD with a back surgery....well it sounded pretty good to me to avoid the surgery LOL!

They are setting an appoinment to start epidural's, said I could have 3 in a year. Sounded pretty good to me :D

Felt pretty good to finally talk to some doctors that werent wearing blinders.

So that was a complete relief! I can now fly to Tampa Florida this friday without all the worries of surgery. See ya ll when I get back :winky:

Allen....


So nice to read great news...Whew.. now you can go to fla. and not worry so much well where back surgery is concerned.....as far as the RSD in our lives..well its our new best friend..it follows us everywhere..... sorry about that part!!! Safe trip.. KS

Many thanks to you dubious! I followed your advice and explained the broken off piece of collagen, and also asked if the neuro doc could seek out a second doc in the office about what he thought was wrong. Especially when it came to the foot drop and RSD.

He left the room and brought back the department head, and they tag teamed the examination. The chief surgeon was very interested in looking at me considering the weird circumstances. He told me that they quit using the plugs because there was a 10% chance of hematoma, and I happened to fall into that 10%. He also told me that they are now sewing the whole in the artery following the catheterizations with great success.

They spent a great deal of time with me poking and prodding both feet and legs, explaining everything as they went. The chief also said that if he were a clinician, he could very easily have missed this, and sent me off to surgery also. It was very satisfying to finally have someone besides my primary doc spend the time to actually look.

I know this will make my primary doc real happy because most of the time the specialists dont come to the same conclusions he does.

It is also NICE to have caring people here to bounce things off of before seeing specialists and such. It really opens up ones perspective when seen through the eyes of others.

Thank you all soooo much :grouphug:

Dear Allen -

Enjoy Tampa - where it's warm and hopefully sunny!! Soak it up!!

I am glad you had a great experience with a doc.

Take care, XOXOX Sandy