Instant foot drop caused by injury

[Guest guest]

My 27 year old son, who has CMT, has had a challenge with his left foot for

about 5 years but his right leg and foot were strong. Yesterday he tripped on

his left foot causing him to land heavily on his right foot which twisted a

little. He felt a pins and needles sensation(tingling) in his foot but no pain.

He then found he could not move his foot and had instant foot drop. Obviously

he was very concerned but thought maybe he had pinched a nerve and the feeling

and movement would return.It hasn't. There is still no pain or swelling and he

saw our family Doctor today who basically said it was due to CMT and as we are

all used to hearing " nothing could be done " and he should be fitted with an AFO.

My son is devastated! I know with my CMT symptoms they have progressed

gradually, I have foot drop but it has developed over the past 10 years. Is

this possible to develop instant foot drop on a strong healthy leg due to

injury? Any information or sugggestions would be greatly appreciated. We are

located in Ontario.

[Guest guest]

Did your " family doc " do Xrays? It seems that an Orthopedist is more

knowledgeable in this. To blame this on CMT is uneducated, dismissive thinking.

Your son may have a tendon or other type on injury, that if seen, quickly, can

be healed.

Don't waste time with Family Docs when something like this happens. Very few,

and I mean very few know much. Go to an orthopedist. If you don't have one find

one, or go to the ER and ask who the ortho on call is. Chances are that

orthopedist won't know much about CMT, but is better treated by a professional

with a background in orthopedics or sports rehabilitation. And whoa on the AFOs

until you have seen both the ortho AND the neurologist. Proper care of his foot

(rest and ice, maybe Tylenol or something,) may do wonders.

[Guest guest]

i would make an appointment with a neurosurgeon. i am no doctor but it sounds

like he has been dealing with a pinched nerve in his left leg for years and the

fall may have triggered the disc to move a fraction and pinch off the nerve

entirely. i have cmt too and have severe spinal stenosis and my right leg is

much weaker and its due to a nerve being compressed.

Instant foot drop caused by injury

My 27 year old son, who has CMT, has had a challenge with his left foot for

about 5 years but his right leg and foot were strong. Yesterday he tripped on

his left foot causing him to land heavily on his right foot which twisted a

little. He felt a pins and needles sensation(tingling) in his foot but no pain.

He then found he could not move his foot and had instant foot drop. Obviously

he was very concerned but thought maybe he had pinched a nerve and the feeling

and movement would return.It hasn't. There is still no pain or swelling and he

saw our family Doctor today who basically said it was due to CMT and as we are

all used to hearing " nothing could be done " and he should be fitted with an AFO.

My son is devastated! I know with my CMT symptoms they have progressed

gradually, I have foot drop but it has developed over the past 10 years. Is

this possible to develop instant foot drop on a strong healthy leg due to

injury? Any information or sugggestions would be greatly a

ppreciated. We are located in Ontario.

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Tell him not to give up yet. It might just take sometime for the ligaments to

return to normal. Strange things happen with CMT for better and for worse. I

recommend an ace bandage

In a message dated 8/20/2010 8:55:04 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

kotack@... writes:

My 27 year old son, who has CMT, has had a challenge with his left foot for

about 5 years but his right leg and foot were strong. Yesterday he tripped

on his left foot causing him to land heavily on his right foot which

twisted a little. He felt a pins and needles sensation(tingling) in his foot

but

no pain. He then found he could not move his foot and had instant foot

drop. Obviously he was very concerned but thought maybe he had pinched a nerve

and the feeling and movement would return.It hasn't. There is still no

pain or swelling and he saw our family Doctor today who basically said it was

due to CMT and as we are all used to hearing " nothing could be done " and he

should be fitted with an AFO. My son is devastated! I know with my CMT

symptoms they have progressed gradually, I have foot drop but it has developed

over the past 10 years. Is this possible to develop instant foot drop on a

strong healthy leg due to injury? Any information or sugggestions would be

greatly appreciated. We are located in Ontario.

[Guest guest]

I had another thought. Maybe he pinched something in his back when he fell

and that cause the drop foot. A chiropractor could help with that. I am

holding out hope that this is fixable.

In a message dated 8/20/2010 8:55:04 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

kotack@... writes:

My 27 year old son, who has CMT, has had a challenge with his left foot for

about 5 years but his right leg and foot were strong. Yesterday he tripped

on his left foot causing him to land heavily on his right foot which

twisted a little. He felt a pins and needles sensation(tingling) in his foot

but

no pain. He then found he could not move his foot and had instant foot

drop. Obviously he was very concerned but thought maybe he had pinched a nerve

and the feeling and movement would return.It hasn't. There is still no

pain or swelling and he saw our family Doctor today who basically said it was

due to CMT and as we are all used to hearing " nothing could be done " and he

should be fitted with an AFO. My son is devastated! I know with my CMT

symptoms they have progressed gradually, I have foot drop but it has developed

over the past 10 years. Is this possible to develop instant foot drop on a

strong healthy leg due to injury? Any information or sugggestions would be

greatly appreciated. We are located in Ontario.

[Guest guest]

Thanks !

[Guest guest]

My sister had a sudden, one sided profound foot drop when she was about 21.

Probably pinched a nerve or something. It was 6 months before it gradually came

back to the same as the other foot, but it did. She is now 43 and has not needed

AFOs yet. My dad has also had similar experiences but not so dramatic or

longstanding. I wouldn't despair yet.

Holli

>

> My 27 year old son, who has CMT, has had a challenge with his left foot for

about 5 years but his right leg and foot were strong. Yesterday he tripped on

his left foot causing him to land heavily on his right foot which twisted a

little. He felt a pins and needles sensation(tingling) in his foot but no pain.

He then found he could not move his foot and had instant foot drop. Obviously

he was very concerned but thought maybe he had pinched a nerve and the feeling

and movement would return.It hasn't. There is still no pain or swelling and he

saw our family Doctor today who basically said it was due to CMT and as we are

all used to hearing " nothing could be done " and he should be fitted with an AFO.

My son is devastated! I know with my CMT symptoms they have progressed

gradually, I have foot drop but it has developed over the past 10 years. Is

this possible to develop instant foot drop on a strong healthy leg due to

injury? Any information or sugggestions would be greatly appreciated. We are

located in Ontario.

>

[Guest guest]

I had what I thought was an " instant foot drop " incident a few days ago.

I'm 60yrs old and have CMT. I, too, didn't have dropfoot.just numb feet and

hands..and issues with balance. I do use a cane for balance.

Here's what happened.I went to the basement to watch my grandkids play a

game on the Wii. My oldest grandchild was sitting in my favorite lounge

chair so I pulled up an old kitchen chair. My youngest wanted to sit in my

lap and watch. We sat and watched for about an hour then decided to go

upstairs. I got up but could not lift my right ankle or the toes of my

right foot. I was devastated! Called my family practice doctor and my

neurologist and left messages. Hours later my neurologist called back.

After explaining what occurred we concluded that the nerves had become

pinched. He said that they would most likely recover and that it probably is

exacerbated because of the CMT.

I had noticed that I was beginning to that could get my toes and ankle to

flex upward slightly and after a couple of days I'm about 70%.

After reading your situation, I would get second and third opinions that

your son has instant dropfoot.

One other thing that I have found helpful. I saw a writeup and video in LER

(Lower Extremity Review) magazine recently re: a device called the AFX and

have been using it to strength my ankles and toes. I feel very good with

the results and use it twice a week. You might want to ask your PT and/or

neurologist about it. http://www.afx-online.com/

Best wishes,

wheels

[Guest guest]

Wheels,

Do you like the AFX? I follow them on Twitter and have been thinking

of getting one.

Thanks,

Donna

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I TRI because I CAN!

www.myfitnessyear.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Guest guest]

Hi Clyde,

Thank you so much for your reply to my email; which has given me more hope (I

have passed it on to my son). The Neurologist is on vacation but we will see

him on his return. Hopefully he will give a more promising prognosis than the

Family Doctor. Unfortunately my son is taking to heart the doctor's opinion

that this situation is permanent. I really appreciate you taking the time to

pass on your experience....you have brightened my day. Just to put a face to

the names, not sure if you saw our Family on the Canadian CBC TV show, " Dragon's

Den " ? Our family invented the heated slippers, " CosySoles " , which were

originally intended to help those affected with CMT . Our entire family

appeared on the show, including my son Jordan. Thanks again!

Warm wishes,

From: Clyde Wheeler

Sent: Saturday, August 21, 2010 10:02 AM

Subject: Re: Instant foot drop caused by injury

I had what I thought was an " instant foot drop " incident a few days ago.

I'm 60yrs old and have CMT. I, too, didn't have dropfoot.just numb feet and

hands..and issues with balance. I do use a cane for balance.

Here's what happened.I went to the basement to watch my grandkids play a

game on the Wii. My oldest grandchild was sitting in my favorite lounge

chair so I pulled up an old kitchen chair. My youngest wanted to sit in my

lap and watch. We sat and watched for about an hour then decided to go

upstairs. I got up but could not lift my right ankle or the toes of my

right foot. I was devastated! Called my family practice doctor and my

neurologist and left messages. Hours later my neurologist called back.

After explaining what occurred we concluded that the nerves had become

pinched. He said that they would most likely recover and that it probably is

exacerbated because of the CMT.

I had noticed that I was beginning to that could get my toes and ankle to

flex upward slightly and after a couple of days I'm about 70%.

After reading your situation, I would get second and third opinions that

your son has instant dropfoot.

One other thing that I have found helpful. I saw a writeup and video in LER

(Lower Extremity Review) magazine recently re: a device called the AFX and

have been using it to strength my ankles and toes. I feel very good with

the results and use it twice a week. You might want to ask your PT and/or

neurologist about it. http://www.afx-online.com/

Best wishes,

wheels

[Guest guest]

Hi -

I have a pair of Cosy Soles and also bought a pair for my sister who has CMT

also. They are wonderful! I could not do without them, especially in the

winter! I'll be sure to check out " Dragon's Den. "

Thanks!

Clyde

[Guest guest]

Hi Donna -

I enjoy my 2x a week workout (sometimes 3x) with the AFX and feel stronger

in the ankles and toes because of it. IT WORKS FOR ME!

I was given the elastic bands to work with from the physical therapist but

my grandkids love to tie them in knots (and they would constantly slip off

of my feet. The AFX fixes that problem and a few more. I love the

additional strengthening exercises. I truly believe that it has helped me

recover more quickly from my " instant foot drop " incident which ended up

only being a badly pinched nerve.

-wheels

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of

Donna DeWick

Sent: Sunday, August 22, 2010 10:38 AM

Subject: Re: Instant foot drop caused by injury

Wheels,

Do you like the AFX? I follow them on Twitter and have been thinking

of getting one.

Thanks,

Donna

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I TRI because I CAN!

www.myfitnessyear.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~