Foot Drop?

[kwarendorf]

My foot issue is on the left side, but only appears after about 45 minutes of exercise. It is worse when walking outside rather than on a treadmill. My initial thinking, given that it it is more apparent when walking outside, was that it was heat/core temp related. After consulting Dr. Google, it looks like this is a variation of "foot drop"?

My issue is not related to my Anterior Tibialis. I can sit and flex my foot up and down at will. I think it may be related to spasticity. When the condition comes on, I am able to lift my foot with some degree of control.  Once my foot starts its downward movement I'm not sure where it's going to land. I've always thought this was a "leg" issue rather than a "foot" issue. Maybe not? Any thoughts?

Kyle

[Jacksmom516]

Kyle

I do have foot drop and it becomes much more pronounced with exertion -  I am good for about an hour or two depending on if it is straight walking or shopping etc... and then wham I am dragging my right leg -- even with the Bioness -  it still does not want to move -  I sit for a bit and am better.  Let us know what the doc says

[kwarendorf]

Nothing I hate more than axon degeneration! :-)

One of the things that concerns me is that it might be a sign of the progressive part of my SPMS. I haven't had a relapse in almost two years. I guess it's impossible to tell whether that's the Tysabri or the SP :-)

Kyle

[maxthecat43]

Hi Kyle,

The specialists I see call it foot drop.  It doesn't have to be severe to be a problem.  It's a signal problem, like all our other symptoms.  I always have mine, but it's definitely worse when I'm either too warm, or had to try to walk for too long. It may well be related to the problem with your leg.  

Maybe it's axon degeneration making the old damage worse?
Tammy

[aspen2]

That's interesting, because my physiotherapist did an assessment of weakness just as a bout of hemiparesis was resolving -- one of his findings was that my anterior tibialis was both weak, and not activating properly.  I had the lack of reflex then; toes wanted to point down, not flex up.

[AvaQ]

Hi Kyle,
I haven't been dx, but that is one of my main symptoms. I can't usually move the toes on my left foot, but when I've been really busy (or walk too long), that weakness seems to 'travel' up my leg. I know mine involves both my knee and ankle - I tend to end up stepping higher on that side as I don't seem to be lifting my ankle properly.

If I sit, I can still flex my foot up and down (although not as much as the normal side) and same with the knee. But I can't 'twist' my foot from side to side. I don't really think of mine as 'foot drop' either - I just think of it as my 'travelling weakness'. But then I'm no expert!

Cheers, Ava

[SarahL2491]

Kyle, after I have done "too much" walking, mine doesn't want to even lift, I wind up dragging it and the brace.  Then I know I've overdone it......  Not sure what the reason is.....then when I take the brace off at night, it really drags and is fine the next day,......

[immisceo]

Thanks for linking to her original post. It's funny; I'd read up on the meaning behind a song by some folks from my (original) neck of the woods. So when mine showed up, I did indeed call it my jake leg. I've taken to applying 'jake' to any limb that's even the tiniest heavy feeling (in jest). Can I take the rubbish out? Yup! But I may plead 'jake arm'. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9UZct0EEH4

[kwarendorf]

I think mine may be of the calf variety also. I found Quix's explanation page, but I'm not sure I understand it. I.E. how to link it specifically to my calf...

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/What-is-Foot-Drop/show/1330130

[aspen2]

I haven't been calling it foot drop; no idea what it is.  Right side only.  Mine is also temperature sensitive (it will set off in a hot bath, post exercise etc.)  I'm pretty sure it's from contraction of my calf muscles.  When it happens, I can no longer flex my foot up, and although the babinski test isn't positive, there isn't a reflex/movement at all.

[immisceo]

Speaking purely to my own experience, my foot drop was unrelated to exertion, came on over a period of days, and involved complete inability to dorsiflect and sensory deficits (more or less numb and feeling cold or wet though circulation was fine). I suppose the classic 'scuba flipper foot'. It stayed with me for about a week and I literally woke up without it one day.

None of this says you don't have foot drop of course! But I don't recognise it in what I personally experienced.