back problems?

Question

my husband has spinal stenosis, bulging discs and a peripheral nerve that is causing a foot drop. The neurosurgeon feels an operation might not even help. My husband is 72. He has referred us to a neurologist and a physical therapist. He's not in any pain but cant stand up or take a step. The neurologist cant see him for 2 weeks. Anyone know if rest will cure a foot drop. Any other info would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Significant neurological deficit is a warning sign that this problem might not be able to be fixed conservatively. Furthermore, the longer he goes with this deficit, the less likely it is to recover. However, when you say that it is a peripheral nerve that is causing the foot drop, this sounds like it is not being affected at the spine, but somewhere between the spine and the foot?...however, I was not there when you spoke to the neurosurgeon, so I cannot infer what he/she is implying by this. Certainly a nerve compression needs to be relieved at it's source. If he/she feels it is happening somewhere outside the spinal column, this could be why they feel surgery may not help.

However, this does not preclude him from having a physical therapy evaluation. I would highly recommend he see a PT who is credentialed in mechanical diagnosis and therapy. I will become very apparent within a few visits if this problem is likely to be resolved conservatively. You can go to http://www.mckenziemdt.org to find a credentialed provider in your area.

If the footdrop cannot be cured, it would certainly be appropriate for him to see an orthotist for a fabricated brace to allow him to do physical therapy just for the sake of learning how to walk again (for this he can see a general physical therapist).

Best of luck, and hopefully the problem can be changed.

Answer 2

Not good news I am afraid. I have disc prolapse and in a lot of pain. When it hits the nerve roots I loose my legs and have to wait until it moves back off the nerve roots. Unless I loose my bowel and bladder function they are not going to operate. Foot drop means something is pressing on the nerve and unless the bowel and bladder are affected they tend to leave well alone. No amount of rest will help, exercise might, something like swimming, where the body is weightless and then the discs might move off the nerve? It is a long shot at 72 but you never know.

Answer 3

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