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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Diagnosed With Perenial Nervous Compression. Suddenly Falls Down While Walking. No Problem In Brain, Using Walking Stick, On Medicnes. Cure?

My father was diagnosed with perenial nervous compression. Basically, he started falling down for no explainable reason. The foot simply used to drop, although the mind says you are perfectly fine. This resulted in injury depending on where you fall and what you hurt. For example, the head was hurt twice by falling down, but not in serious places, luckily. He was advised physiotheraphy treatment which was done at home by a physiotherapist and some medication . It did not improve. Also, he could not keep his foot on the floor and had to kept at some height. After going to Coimbatore, he did all possible tests after going to multiple hospitals to rule out things like brain problem, etc... All tests came well, there was NO PROBLEM whatsoever to brain, etc... But this falling while walking continued. He had in total four falls. Hence, the doctor advised him to be very careful, watch every movement and use a walking stick. Now he is using a walking stick. He has also been taught various exercises and medication is also on. One tablet name I remember is SUPERIOR. I would like him to recover fully from this problem rather than walk around with a stick, permanently. Can you help.
Tue, 10 Sep 2013
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Spine Surgeon 's  Response
Hi
Thank you for your question to HCM.

Causes of foot drop can be either in lumbar spine where nerves come out, along the course of nerve in the leg or the muscles and joints.

Foot drop from a lumbar disc herniation or stenosis generally is associated with radicular pain or numbness but may occur in isolation. Peripheral nerve lesions can involve common or deep peroneal nerve that may lead to foot drop. Joint and muscle problems lead to deformity rather than a true foot drop.

A detailed examination by a neurologist can differentiate between these cause. A lumbar disc is obvious on MRI of the lumbar spine whereas nerve problems can be localized by Electromyography and Nerve conduction testing (EMG/NCV). Muscle weakness in the absence of nerve involvement can be detected on examination. So plan would be EMG/NCV and MRI of lumbar spine if these are not already done.

Hope this is helpful. I would be happy to answer any questions that you may have.
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Diagnosed With Perenial Nervous Compression. Suddenly Falls Down While Walking. No Problem In Brain, Using Walking Stick, On Medicnes. Cure?

Hi Thank you for your question to HCM. Causes of foot drop can be either in lumbar spine where nerves come out, along the course of nerve in the leg or the muscles and joints. Foot drop from a lumbar disc herniation or stenosis generally is associated with radicular pain or numbness but may occur in isolation. Peripheral nerve lesions can involve common or deep peroneal nerve that may lead to foot drop. Joint and muscle problems lead to deformity rather than a true foot drop. A detailed examination by a neurologist can differentiate between these cause. A lumbar disc is obvious on MRI of the lumbar spine whereas nerve problems can be localized by Electromyography and Nerve conduction testing (EMG/NCV). Muscle weakness in the absence of nerve involvement can be detected on examination. So plan would be EMG/NCV and MRI of lumbar spine if these are not already done. Hope this is helpful. I would be happy to answer any questions that you may have.