Has anyone had foot drop caused by bulging disc. My calf pain has been excruciating and constant now for the last 2 days. I never used to have pain when sitting but that’s happened too. I’m trying to walk but feel like I’m having to lift my leg high to move my foot as the calf doesn’t seem to lift my foot. I have a new pain just above my ankle bone too. Will this go away or is this going to be my new reality?
I'm sorry to hear this Kirsteen. I won't be of much help. I only have one functioning kidney. As far as pain management, I can only take natural supplements like turmeric, ginger, chamomile, etc. Have you tried a TENS unit for pain management? I'm sorry to hear about your calf pain and drop foot. I get my shocks in my outer right knee.
I had a similar problem Kirsteen, numbness and foot drop the result of a bulging disc, the pain and numbness got progressively worse over a couple of years, as with you. I had to have an MRI scan which revealed the disc was badly herniated and crushing my spinal chord. The operation removed the pain, but I continue to have numbness in my feet, although definitely an improvement and walking no longer painful. I would try to persuade your doctor to book you an MRI, as it sounds much like mine.
Pain is one thing, but losing function in a body part is very scary. this could be just a flare up which could be revealed with a steroid you can used from your doctor. It helped me a lot when I had my flare up, but everything came back when I stopped taking it. from some people, it works very well though. an ESI might help as well but that might be temporary too. also, try ice. Stay away from heat as that might inflame the area more.
have you tried eating a lot of mushrooms? if not, look into it. natural anti inflammatory. I usually listen to country Music, but have found that Mozart on Pandora helps me relax and take my mind off the pain.
Ross, no I haven't tried mushrooms. As additional anti-inflammatory besides my natural supplements and CBD oil, I'm eating blueberries, bananas, and Plums. Going to have to try the mushrooms. Thank you.
They best way to fix this, of course, is to take care of the disc that's pinching the nerve causing the problem. If you don't want the surgery, get an AFO (Ankle Foot Orthotic...like the one in the picture). Put a sock or stocking over it and slide it into your shoe. My wife has permanent foot drop from two TIA strokes when she she had brain aneurysm surgery, The AFO helps. She got one custom made with a special hinge because of her problem.
A permanent fix is an ankle fusion to keep the foot from dropping...but that's waaaaay more radical than just having a decompressive laminectomy to take care of the nerve pinching from the disc. Simple, same-day op. Had two of them both very successful.
I’m desperate for surgery. I was urgently referred to neurosurgeon but they downgraded it to routine, I’m also a veteran which they didn’t know so I’m hoping it might help me get seen sooner too. When I rang I was told it was nearly a 30 week wait which was last week. That’s only to see them
I had an MRI which showed a disc bulge at L5/S1 and another couple of smaller bulges which were glossed over. I just don’t understand why everything is getting worse. I thought my pain was a 10 before but this is madness
I’ve been icing it a lot today and been laid down most of the day. What is ESI?
I did try a TENS once but no use either. Do your supplements help the pain?
I love mushrooms and eat them nearly every dinner time lol. I really need to get to grips with the pain, it’s driving me mad
That's a real shame on the waiting time. I'm 70 and on Medicare (socialized medicine) here in the US. I just call my neuro, see him in a week to 10 days, MRI the next day to confirm the diagnosis and on his surgery schedule. The whole thing takes less than 30 days. Of course, I ALWAYS try the less invasive modalities like chiropractic, acupuncture, PT, etc. first. The surgery is really a last resort but when I need it, there's hardly any delay.
Really consider the AFO. My wife's footdrop caused her to fall many times over the years and eventually led to a tear in her rotator cuff when she extended her arms to break her fall. You don't want the footdrop causing more problems.
Also, try some Voltaren Gel (diclofenac over there). Great topical anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. Check with your doc or pharmacist for interactions with your current meds but they are rare.
I would love to be able to pay private but over £5000 it just isn’t feasible. I’ve tried the gel before too unfortunately it didn’t seem to make much difference.
Hi Kirsteen, I also had a disc bulge at L5/S1 and was in a very bad way at one point. I couldn't sit, stand, walk, drive, sleep etc etc, this went on for about 2 years and I too at one point for at least a month, maybe more was walking with a limp, I couldn't push myself up with the front part of my foot which was very scary and caused problems with walking and going upstairs etc. I am happy to say that I am now walking properly again and the only symptoms I really have now is some numbness in parts of my leg and around the top and side of my foot. I was told that I would have to have an operation as the bulge was so bad but with some stretches I found on YouTube I am now 95% better, the bulge has gone back in, I have no pain and I no longer need an operation. I can send you the video to your messages if you like. I done these a couple of times throughout the day for about 2 weeks just as I was due to have the steroid injection and when I actually went for the injection they agreed with me that I no longer needed it. I know everybody is different but I just wanted to let you know that it is possible to get better from this just by doing some simple stretches, it worked for me 😊
Hi Debbie thanks for your reply, you did stretches after 2 years of a disc bulge and it cured you? That gives me hope😀 I was beginning to think that after 9 months of this that I would be left with permanent nerve damage. Yes please send me the stretches. That’s fab that you are nearly better and out of pain
Yes honestly just by doing a few stretches, here is a picture of my MRI scan with my disc bulge before and after. I too was so worried as I really didn't want to have an operation, the doctor said he'd not seen somebody heal so quickly after such a big herniation, and to just carry on doing what I'm doing. It has started to play up again every now and again but I just start doing the stretches again and within a couple of weeks I am back to normal again. Obviously I don't lift anything heavy and don't do any silly movements. I will send you the stretches to your messages
Wow that’s brilliant, will definitely try them. I’m a post woman, do you think that at your level of fitness now that I could return to work, I walk around 13 miles per day, obviously carrying weight, up and down stairs etc?
Hm that's a hard one to answer. I can do everyday normal stuff like walk, run (which I dont really do lol) but 13 miles a day is a lot and like you say carrying heavy items up and down stairs all day probably won't help. I won't do anything now like jump down off of anything or do anything that might knock my back back out and if I am stupid enough to do too much gardening or lift anything heavy I usually pay for it the next day. But your obviously a lot fitter than me so who knows?
Certainly not fit now after 9 months of basically sitting down! The orthopaedic doctor who referred me for surgery said I wouldn’t be able to return but I’m waiting to see what neurosurgeon says, by what you say it’s not sounding likely now