Hi,

For almost a year, I've been suffering from severe pain when I start walking. EMG, x-ray and MRI scans around my foot & ankle showed nothing. A few days ago, I saw a neurologist and she told that it could be foot drop. I haven't got my MRI scan yet but I am almost sure that I have foot drop caused by a problem in L5 S1. Whenever I do the dorsiflexion move, right after 3-4 times, it starts burning and I can't do it anymore. Severe pain is also making it impossible for me to take even short walks.

I will see my doctor on November 17 with results but in January, I have to go abroad for a few days. And I am concerned both about my travel to abroad and health.

Do you think it would require a surgery? I mean, I have really severe pain and difficulty with walking. What can be done to relieve the disc and let me lift my ankle again, except surgery?

Will I be able to play basketball or run again, if my problems are due to some problems with L5 S1? Because of my back problems, I am almost sure about this.

If I have to be operated... How long should I stay in bed? Soon my exams will start, in January I have to go abroad... I feel really depressed. I want to be healthy again but I can't afford missing my exams or losing the chance of my life to go abroad.

Please share your thoughts.

Note: I am 20 year-old male. As I said, there's nothing wrong with my nerves according to EMG results. I've had various scans of x-ray, EMG and MRI for my problematic right foot and simply nothing came out of them. Everything's fine.

It depends on what the MRI shows. If it is indeed a problem in the L5-S1 and considering your age, I expect the doctor's to take the most conservative approach. This is of course it isn't a serious issue in the L5-S1 area, which it doesn't sound as if it is.

It sounds like a similar issue I'm having in the same area. I have foot drop in my left foot, severe pain in my back, and unable to bend my big toe. Surgery isn't an option for me, yet. The problem isn't serious enough and due to my age (34) they want to prolong surgery and see if I get better with more conservative approaches.

Right now I had my first epidural injections on Friday and begin PT next Monday. I've found that with back issues doctor's choose surgery as a last resort and only in the most serious cases.

Welcome Rigelmeister.

Welcome nudave.