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Cant stand on tip toes and calf muscle atrophy
Cant stand on tip toes and calf muscle atrophy
I'm numb from my crotch down the back of my leg to my foot, but noticed in the past 2 weeks or so my right calf muscle was feeling very tight, never paid much attention but over the past few days I noticed I cant tippy toe on that foot and it scares the hell outta me!!
I had severe sciatica last feb (08) lasted for about 10 weeks. Was on Naproxen, Co-Codamol 30-500's and Tramadol for the pain, one day my back went and couldnt walk for about 8 hours, after that it got gradually better (as in pain was less) but developed the numbness now the wasting calf muscle!!
Can anyone help me on this, what I need to do, exercises etc to rebuild the muscle or lessen the numbness.
Does anyone know if the numbness has replaced my severe sciatic pain?
Jon
I'm numb from my crotch down the back of my leg to my foot, but noticed in the past 2 weeks or so my right calf muscle was feeling very tight, never paid much attention but over the past few days I noticed I cant tippy toe on that foot and it scares the hell outta me!!
I had severe sciatica last feb (08) lasted for about 10 weeks. Was on Naproxen, Co-Codamol 30-500's and Tramadol for the pain, one day my back went and couldnt walk for about 8 hours, after that it got gradually better (as in pain was less) but developed the numbness now the wasting calf muscle!!
Can anyone help me on this, what I need to do, exercises etc to rebuild the muscle or lessen the numbness.
Does anyone know if the numbness has replaced my severe sciatic pain?
Jon
Cant stand on tip toes and calf muscle atrophy.
I had a herniated L5 disc that was impinching my S1 nerve. I went for about 12 months with that condition before opting for a discectomy on February 2013 I was numb down the back of my leg to my foot, but noticed my right calf muscle was feeling very tight, after my surgery and I cant tippy toe on that foot and it scares the hell outta me!! after 45 days my leg feel better but still I can't tippy toe.
Can anyone help me on this, what I need to do, exercises etc to rebuild the muscle or lessen the numbness and be able to tip toe
Carlos
I had a herniated L5 disc that was impinching my S1 nerve. I went for about 12 months with that condition before opting for a discectomy on February 2013 I was numb down the back of my leg to my foot, but noticed my right calf muscle was feeling very tight, after my surgery and I cant tippy toe on that foot and it scares the hell outta me!! after 45 days my leg feel better but still I can't tippy toe.
Can anyone help me on this, what I need to do, exercises etc to rebuild the muscle or lessen the numbness and be able to tip toe
Carlos
I am 30 years old and 5 weeks post-surgery for what was classified as "severe spinal stenosis" caused by a herniation in the L4-L5 disc. I, like you, began with issues in my left leg first. Basically, if I lifted anything heavier than 15 lbs, I would feel pins and needles in my left leg instantly until I put the weight down.
I was not in pain, but I was concerned after it didn't go away. I went to see my family doctor and he sent me for a CT scan and was referred to physio. A few weeks later, before I could even be scheduled for physio, I woke up with the worst pain I have ever felt in my life radiating from the right side of my back down my right leg. I had to crawl on hands and knees just to get to the bathroom. 12 hours later my right leg was completely numb and I was experiencing fasticulations from my lower back right down to my foot on the right side. It was like there was an alien under my skin.
I went to the ER, where I was sent home with the expectation that I would be contacted for emergency surgery in a hospital 4 hours away, which was where the nearest neurosurgeon was located. The ER doctor did what he could, but my family physician didn't seem very concerned.
I went to see my family physician 2 days later. I had an MRI done which showed the seriousness of my condition. Other than beginning physio (where I was told straight out by the physiotherapist that he was not going to be able to help me, although he would continue with me until the doctors figured out what they were going to do) Nothing was done for 5 weeks until the local neurosurgeon came back from vacation on august 28/12. For 5 weeks, I experienced severe back pain, complete numbness/tingling in my right leg, and foot drop. I was dragging my foot behind me like quasimodo so I wouoldn't trip over my own toes as I had no control over the muscles in my ankle and foot. The local neurosurgeon asked me "why I waited so long". I was immediately sent to the ER for tests to check the strength of the muscles that controlled my bladder, which turned out to be functioning well. I was scheduled for surgery on Sept 10/12.
After the surgery 5 weeks ago, I have regained control of my ankle muscles and am no longer experiencing foot drop. I have feeling in my big toe and the arch of my foot, but the rest of my foot is completely numb. i am experiencing numbness in the back of my thigh, the back and right side of my right calf as well as the outside of my foot. I can move all of my toes, and walk with a slight limp if I sit for too long or if I sit on a soft surface like a couch, which disappears after I walk on the leg for a few minutes. I cannot stand on my tiptoes, but I can flex the muscles in my calf as long as my body weight is not on it.
Sometimes the calf muscle feels really tight, like there is a knot in it, and I occasionally experience a burning/tingling/electrical shock feeling in my right foot. I have been taking gabapentin which helps ease it some. I am fearful that the feeling in my foot will never return. I can jog without a limp although I haven't tested it out on long distance yet, but I cannot run at the moment.
Also, I am a woman and I can't wear high heels without going over on my ankle, which is a total bummer.
I go for my post-op check up with the neurosurgeon in 4 days. Hopefully he will clear me for physiotheraphy and I can begin rebuilding my strength in my back and legs. Once again, I am hoping the feeling will someday return to my foot, though I realize it could take years.
Have you experienced any improvement since your last post?
I was not in pain, but I was concerned after it didn't go away. I went to see my family doctor and he sent me for a CT scan and was referred to physio. A few weeks later, before I could even be scheduled for physio, I woke up with the worst pain I have ever felt in my life radiating from the right side of my back down my right leg. I had to crawl on hands and knees just to get to the bathroom. 12 hours later my right leg was completely numb and I was experiencing fasticulations from my lower back right down to my foot on the right side. It was like there was an alien under my skin.
I went to the ER, where I was sent home with the expectation that I would be contacted for emergency surgery in a hospital 4 hours away, which was where the nearest neurosurgeon was located. The ER doctor did what he could, but my family physician didn't seem very concerned.
I went to see my family physician 2 days later. I had an MRI done which showed the seriousness of my condition. Other than beginning physio (where I was told straight out by the physiotherapist that he was not going to be able to help me, although he would continue with me until the doctors figured out what they were going to do) Nothing was done for 5 weeks until the local neurosurgeon came back from vacation on august 28/12. For 5 weeks, I experienced severe back pain, complete numbness/tingling in my right leg, and foot drop. I was dragging my foot behind me like quasimodo so I wouoldn't trip over my own toes as I had no control over the muscles in my ankle and foot. The local neurosurgeon asked me "why I waited so long". I was immediately sent to the ER for tests to check the strength of the muscles that controlled my bladder, which turned out to be functioning well. I was scheduled for surgery on Sept 10/12.
After the surgery 5 weeks ago, I have regained control of my ankle muscles and am no longer experiencing foot drop. I have feeling in my big toe and the arch of my foot, but the rest of my foot is completely numb. i am experiencing numbness in the back of my thigh, the back and right side of my right calf as well as the outside of my foot. I can move all of my toes, and walk with a slight limp if I sit for too long or if I sit on a soft surface like a couch, which disappears after I walk on the leg for a few minutes. I cannot stand on my tiptoes, but I can flex the muscles in my calf as long as my body weight is not on it.
Sometimes the calf muscle feels really tight, like there is a knot in it, and I occasionally experience a burning/tingling/electrical shock feeling in my right foot. I have been taking gabapentin which helps ease it some. I am fearful that the feeling in my foot will never return. I can jog without a limp although I haven't tested it out on long distance yet, but I cannot run at the moment.
Also, I am a woman and I can't wear high heels without going over on my ankle, which is a total bummer.
I go for my post-op check up with the neurosurgeon in 4 days. Hopefully he will clear me for physiotheraphy and I can begin rebuilding my strength in my back and legs. Once again, I am hoping the feeling will someday return to my foot, though I realize it could take years.
Have you experienced any improvement since your last post?
I've been experiencing this for nearly 6 years since my tibia repair surgery, and all doctors tell me my issue is Functional Neurological/Movement Disorder. My right foot is always colder than the left, my body always feels like it's been superficially burnt, soles tingle when I first lay my feet on the ground in the morning, and the ball of my right foot feels tender and does a small spasm when I try to step off. Has anyone else here experienced these symptoms, and has anyone gotten help or recovered from your issues?
1 Comments
also, like a lot of you guys, my right calf is a bit smaller than the left, but it has grown significantly since this all first started.
Get consultation with surgeon, always suggest surgery. I had normal foot and after advise of surgeon I did surgery and got nerve damage, foot drop and a lot a lot of pain. No treatment anymore.
I got a lot consultations after surgery and all the time I heard from specialists, "you got mechanically nerve damage by surgery no possibility to get back. When compression nerve before surgery it is passably relieves. Be careful, my advise look for right physical therapist, may be chiropractor, acupuncture. Acupressure was help me after surgery also swimming.
I got a lot consultations after surgery and all the time I heard from specialists, "you got mechanically nerve damage by surgery no possibility to get back. When compression nerve before surgery it is passably relieves. Be careful, my advise look for right physical therapist, may be chiropractor, acupuncture. Acupressure was help me after surgery also swimming.
2 Comments
A physical therapist mentioned foot drop but it isn't the typical front of the foot drop. More on the side. If I step on a crack with the left side of my left foot I stumble. I am somewhat walking on the left side of my left foot as a result. I have the name of a neurosurgeon that is in my health plan. It seems he would be the last option if nothing else works. I have avoided it since the first doctor said surgery can cause more problems in the long run. I am about to make a decision to see him. It just seems to be the last resort.
Hi
we were rear ended in 14. had lower back pain, couldn't work anymore so I thought I hAD to have an operation. the arthropod said spinal stenosis, I was 59, and he operated and put two rods in. do not think surgery is the answer. I have not been functional since the surgery. Since then, I've seen 6 neuro surgeons, all gave me a different diagnosis. Currently, I can't walk without assistance and I can't lift my right leg at all. Just a word of caution to those that think doctors know everything. they don't, some certainly do, but the back is a scary thing!!!!
we were rear ended in 14. had lower back pain, couldn't work anymore so I thought I hAD to have an operation. the arthropod said spinal stenosis, I was 59, and he operated and put two rods in. do not think surgery is the answer. I have not been functional since the surgery. Since then, I've seen 6 neuro surgeons, all gave me a different diagnosis. Currently, I can't walk without assistance and I can't lift my right leg at all. Just a word of caution to those that think doctors know everything. they don't, some certainly do, but the back is a scary thing!!!!
Has anyone that has responded over the last few years seen any improvement? I posted in 2016 about a sciatic nerve flare up that occurred in January 2013. I still have numbness in the left calf and part of the left foot and toes. Occasionally when standing in certain positions I get a lot of tingling through my left foot. I am hopeful that means the nerve is not permanently damaged..
My primary care DR gave me the name of a neuro-surgeon though I have yet to make an appointment as the last thing I want is back surgery that may male things worse. I am hoping there are exercises others have found beneficial to increase the muscle size. I fell that without the proper function of this muscle I'll have eventual hip and knee problems or worse.
My primary care DR gave me the name of a neuro-surgeon though I have yet to make an appointment as the last thing I want is back surgery that may male things worse. I am hoping there are exercises others have found beneficial to increase the muscle size. I fell that without the proper function of this muscle I'll have eventual hip and knee problems or worse.
7 Comments
Numbness below the knee typically indicates nerve compression. Your best option is to see the surgeon and he will tell you whether or not surgery may be necessary. On going numbness and weakness need to be addressed.
The next step is to see the surgeon. I’ve been putting it off since the blast back/spine doctor I saw said it would get better but takes a very long tome. It’s been 5 years.
David,
Waiting too long when you are experiencing numbness can lead to permanent damage. Is the groin numbness new or recent?
Is there bladder or bowel changes as well?
You need to be aware of Cauda Equina Syndrome, especially with groin/saddle numbness, since that is considered a medical emergency.
Waiting too long when you are experiencing numbness can lead to permanent damage. Is the groin numbness new or recent?
Is there bladder or bowel changes as well?
You need to be aware of Cauda Equina Syndrome, especially with groin/saddle numbness, since that is considered a medical emergency.
Looking for good lower back physical therapist, swinning, acupressure, may be acupuncture, eat good diet, get a lot of b12. No recommend surgery, I after surgery and condition much worse,, surgeon made damage my nerve...No treatment I am disable. I went to hospital by my legs , from hospital on whelachire....with a lot worse pain. Be careful!
backhurtz - my numbness is mainly below the knee on the left side down the left side of my leg with the front half of my left foot numb. Some days I walk worse than others on that foot but have very little strength in the foot. The left calk muscle has gotten pretty small and I still can not raise ,myself up on my toes with the left foot. Early on I did a lot of physical therapy and it was not help. Also traction which wasn't any help. I only hear surgery can make things worse and since I am in no pain I should not entertain that option. Anyway I need to figure out how to work that left calf muscle to get it in a bit better shape. I am looking for advice on ways to do that.
David,
It sounds like there may be some foot drop going on. Have you ever had an EMG/Nerve Conduction test done? It can help pin point the nerve that is being compressed if it has been more than 3 months since your symptoms developed. Given what you describe, it sounds like the nerve involvement may be in the L5 myotome/dermatome. Myotome maps show where each nerve from the spine sends nerve impulses to a specific area of the body. A dermotome map shows similar but which muscles/muscle groups are involved.
Surgery, in the cases of nerve involvement can relieve the pressure on the nerve, allowing it to heal/regenerate over time.
Surgery isn't the first option, but when physical therapy and more conservative measures fail, and you are experiencing worsening of symptoms, then it might be time to revisit that option.
As far as exercises go, there are some for foot drop that might be helpful, but if there is muscle wasting, then a consult with a board certified surgeon is probably the best option
It sounds like there may be some foot drop going on. Have you ever had an EMG/Nerve Conduction test done? It can help pin point the nerve that is being compressed if it has been more than 3 months since your symptoms developed. Given what you describe, it sounds like the nerve involvement may be in the L5 myotome/dermatome. Myotome maps show where each nerve from the spine sends nerve impulses to a specific area of the body. A dermotome map shows similar but which muscles/muscle groups are involved.
Surgery, in the cases of nerve involvement can relieve the pressure on the nerve, allowing it to heal/regenerate over time.
Surgery isn't the first option, but when physical therapy and more conservative measures fail, and you are experiencing worsening of symptoms, then it might be time to revisit that option.
As far as exercises go, there are some for foot drop that might be helpful, but if there is muscle wasting, then a consult with a board certified surgeon is probably the best option
I did see a neurologists a year ago. He did a nerve test below the left knee. I felt the shocks goin into the nerves but nothing coming out of my toes. He wants another MRI and I imagine then to see a surgeon. I'm not sure I'm ready for surgery. I'm mobile enough to work and do most things. I don't want to mess that up.
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