Leg Pain

Foot Drop Treatments

cmaynard — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 07:33:51 -0700

Treatment for foot drop will vary depending on the cause. Treating the underlying cause as effectively as possible should always be part of the foot drop treatment plan.

Typical treatments for drop foot include:

Foot Drop Diagnosis

cmaynard — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 07:19:57 -0700

When diagnosing foot drop, doctors typically rely on a 0-5 foot mobility threshold, with 0 referring to complete paralysis and 5 signifying complete foot mobility.

As there are many potential causes of drop foot, a doctor must first pinpoint its underlying source.

Diagnosing Causes of Drop Foot

A typical dropped foot diagnostic process includes:

Foot Drop Causes

cmaynard — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 07:03:02 -0700

When learning about drop foot, it should be reiterated that it is a symptom of an underlying condition. Generally speaking, foot drop causes may include:

Muscle damage
Skeletal or anatomical abnormalities affecting the foot
Nerve damage.

Common Drop Foot Causes

Specific causes of foot drop that should be considered may include:

Foot Drop Symptoms, Steppage Gait & Other Warning Signs

cmaynard — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 06:49:40 -0700

Foot drop typically affects the muscles responsible for moving the ankle and foot upward, specifically the anterior tibialis, extensor hallucis longus and extensor digitorum longus.

With drop foot, these muscles are inhibited from performing several functions during a normal walking stride, including swinging the toes up from the ground at the start of a stride and controlling the foot after the heel is planted near the end of a stride. Consequently, the most recognized foot drop symptom occurs: high steppage gait.

Foot Drop Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

cmaynard — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 06:28:21 -0700

Foot drop, or drop foot as it may also be called, refers to a weakening of the muscles that allow one to flex the ankle and toes, causing the individual to drag the front of the foot while walking and to compensate for this scuffle by bending the knee to lift the foot higher than usual.

Foot Pain Causes and Treatments

cmaynard — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:03:33 -0700

As stated earlier, lower back conditions may prompt a series of symptoms that produce foot pain, usually associated with leg pain (sciatica). To understand how lower back conditions may be the source of pain in the foot, one needs to learn about the largest single nerve in the human body, the sciatic nerve.

Foot Pain Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

cmaynard — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:36:09 -0700

While there may be many causes of foot pain, it is important to note that not all foot pain originates in the toes or in the front or back of the foot, nor does it necessarily develop because of some injury or trauma to the foot.

Effectiveness of Sciatica Treatment, Herniated Disc Surgeries Compared in Recent Study

cmaynard — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:27:47 -0700

July 15, 2009
by: Sylvia Marten

View Sciatica Videos

Examining the effectiveness of conventional microdiscectomy and tubular disectomy surgeries for treatment of [url:996,type=|node|,content=|sciatica symptoms|] resulting from a [url:885,type=|node|,content=|herniated disc|], a recent study found and opined that the minimally invasive, tubular surgery did not result in better outcomes for patients despite such claims in the past.

[url:1584,type=|node|,content=|conventional microdiscectomy|]. The most commonly performed surgery for patients with sciatic leg pain from disc herniation, [url:5991,type=|node|,content=|microdiscectomy|] (also known as lumbar decompression surgery) entails the removal of a small portion of the bone over the nerve root and/or disc material under the nerve root to relieve neural impingement and provide more room to heal.
[url:6025,type=|node|,content=|tubular discectomy|]. Introduced in 1997, tubular discectomy involves a similar procedure to the one described above, with the exception that it is performed through a tubular device. This type of herniated disc surgery has been described as producing less tissue damage and resulting in a faster rate of recovery, the latter point serving as the basis of examination for the Sciatica Micro-Endoscopic Discectomy trial.

Performed by researchers in the Netherlands, this trial involved 328 patients (ages 18 to 70 years) who:

had persistent leg pain from lumbar herniated discs for more than 8 weeks
were hospitalized in 7 general hospitals in the Netherlands from January 2005 to October 2006
were randomized to either a tubular discectomy (approximately 167 patients) or conventional microdiscectomy (161 patients).

A blind follow up was conducted a year later, with functional ability, pain and a self-view of recovery assessed via a series of questionnaires and surveys.

Findings on Microdiscectomy and Tubular Discectomy

According to the study, conventional microdiscectomy produced more favorable results than tubular discectomy after one year for:

functionality. The mean score on the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ), which has a 0-23 score range with higher scores indicative of worse functional status, was 3.4 for conventional microdiscectomy and 4.7 for tubular discectomy.
leg pain. On the visual analog scale, the 1-year mean difference was in favor of conventional microdiscectomy (with scores of 4.2 mm for leg pain and 3.5 mm for [url:145,type=|term|,content=|back pain|]).
self-reports of recovery. 120 of 151 patients (79%) who had conventional microdiscectomy reported good recovery a year later while 107 of 156 of patients (69%) who had tubular discectomy reported good recovery a year after the minimally-invasive procedure.

It should be known that this randomized control trial by no means knocks the validity of tubular disectomy as a minimally-invasive procedure for herniated discs; rather, it challenges certain claims like it increasing the rates of recovery.

Source: JAMA

More on This Topic

[url:1001,type=|node|,content=|Sciatic Nerve Anatomy and Sciatica Symptoms|]
[url:1016,type=|node|,content=|The Truth about Sciatica|]
[url:715,type=|node|,content=|Lumbar Herniated Disc|]
[url:884,type=|node|,content=|Treatment Options for a Lumbar Herniated Disc|]
[url:9574,type=|node|,content=|Surgery Options for a Herniated Disc|]
[url:18207,type=|node|,content=|Lower Back Pain after Surgery|]
[url:7996,type=|node|,content=|Sciatica Treatments|]

Overview: Sciatica Exercises

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:04:48 -0800

Spinal Stenosis Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:55:12 -0800

[url:5998,type=|node|,content=|See the Spinal Stenosis
Interactiv

What You Need to Know About Sciatica

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:52:48 -0800

Additional Sciatica Info:

Leg Pain and Numbness: What Might These Symptoms Mean?

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:29:06 -0800

Sciatica/Leg Pain Info:

Sciatic Nerve Anatomy

cmaynard — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 06:45:01 -0700

The sciatic nerve is the largest and longest single nerve in the human body, about as big around as a thumb at its largest point. The nerve originates in the lower spine as nerve roots exit the spinal cord (through the bones in the spine), and extends all the way down the back of the leg to the toes.

When to Have Surgery for a Lumbar Herniated Disc

Ben Parr — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:19:39 -0700

A physician answers patient questions about determining when it is necessary to undergo surgery for a lumbar herniated disc.

Sciatica Diagnosis and Back Cracking

Ben Parr — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:40:28 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about back cracking and a diagnosis of sciatica

Question: What back problem could be causing sciatica?

I have been suffering from sciatica for a few months. I have not been to a doctor because I didn't really think there is anything that could medically be done.

I guess my question is: could another type of back problem give me the same symptoms? Also, my back cracks a lot when I twist and turn. Is that OK?

When Surgery is Necessary for a Herniated Disc

Ben Parr — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:24:34 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about when it is necessary to undergo surgery versus conservative care for a herniated disc.

Question: What level does a disc need to herniate to require surgery?

I know that on an MRI, the amount of disc herniation (L5 in my case) is measured in increments of millimeters (mm). Are there studies, opinions or facts that indicate which level (# of mm) of disc herniation warrants which treatment?

Spinal Stenosis and Sciatic Pain: Is Surgery the Answer?

Ben Parr — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 07:48:46 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about decompression and artificial disc replacement for spinal stenosis and sciatic pain.

Discectomy or Fusion to Treat Numbness and Leg Pain

Ben Parr — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:58:30 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about undergoing discectomy or fusion surgery to treat numbness and leg pain.

Question: Discectomy, spinal fusion, or another procedure?

I have seen an orthopedic surgeon. He wants to do a discectomy for numbness and pain in my left leg, but said that would not help my lower back and buttocks pain because of disc problems at L4-5. I think I'm saying this correctly.

Stretching the Piriformis Muscle for Sciatica From a Herniated Disc

Ben Parr — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:58:14 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about piriformis stretching exercises for sciatica due to a herniated disc.

Question: Are piriformis stretching exercises important for sciatica?

I have a herniated disc at L5-S1, causing What You Need to Know About Sciatica down my right leg. I have had some success with physical therapy, but some of the exercises, such as stretching the piriformis muscle, are causing leg pain.

Rehabilitation and Degenerative Disc Disease

Ben Parr — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:43:49 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about rehabilitation from degenerative disc disease.

When to See a Surgeon for Spinal Stenosis

Ben Parr — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:57:28 -0800

Back Pain Symptoms: Overview of Lower Back Pain Symptoms and Diagnosis

Ben Parr — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:23:56 -0800

The cause of back pain can usually be diagnosed with a detailed description of one’s symptoms. The description of back pain symptoms, along with one's medical history (and possibly diagnostic testing), will usually lead to a diagnosis of a general cause (such as back strain), or a specific condition (such as a herniated disc).

Back Pain Symptoms from a Sprain or Strain

Back sprain or strain symptoms generally include:

Spinal Anatomy and its Effects on Types of Spinal Stenosis

Ben Parr — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:34:23 -0700

See the Spinal Stenosis
Interactive Video

Learning about spinal stenosis r

Is Spinal Stenosis Causing My Leg Pain?

Ben Parr — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:34:24 -0700

Dr. Stephen Hochschuler speaks about spinal stenosis. He explains the spinal canal structure, how one can get stenosis of the spine, and spondylolisthesis. Lastly Dr. Hochschuler goes over stenosis treatment options, including medications, epidural steroid injections, and spinal stenosis surgery.

Leg Pain

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:53:07 -0800

Definition

Characterized by aches, numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness, leg pain quite often is not caused by a problem in the leg or foot, but rather by a condition in the lower back. In fact, with many low back problems, there is actually little or no low back pain.

Epidural Steroid Injections for Back Pain and Leg Pain Video

spine-health — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:19:40 -0800

Additional Injections Info:

Cervical Epidural Injections

Cervical Injection Video

Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections for Low Back Pain and Sciatica

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:09:59 -0800

Spinal Stenosis Symptoms and Diagnosis

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:55:12 -0800

See the Spinal Stenosis
Interactive Video

Generally speaking, the various types of spinal stenosis prod

Leg Pain and Numbness from Spinal Stenosis - Patients' Advice Part I

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:55:12 -0800

Back-to-Back

Patients share insights on the treatment choices they have chosen for spinal stenosis. In this section, patients share their insights on evaluating treatment options for spinal stenosis.

Back to golfing after stenosis surgery

Suffering from Spinal Stenosis?

Visit the Spinal Stenosis Clinical Trials section for the latest developments.

Leg Pain and Numbness from Spinal Stenosis - Patients' Advice: Part II

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:55:12 -0800

Back-to-Back

Patients share insights on the treatment choices they have chosen for spinal stenosis.

Surgery results vary with choice of surgeon

Husband had same-day minimally invasive surgery. Prior to the surgery he could not walk 100 feet w/o sitting. No pain now, plus diabetic peripheral foot pain is gone. After almost 2 years, 6 Rehabs, exercise, I still can't stand erect. Had little pain prior or post surgery. Can stand erect momentarily only before effort makes me slump.
read more

Sciatica Symptoms

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:52:48 -0800

For some people, sciatica pain can be severe and debilitating. For others, the sciatica symptoms might be infrequent and irritating, but have the potential to get worse. Usually, sciatica only affects one side of the lower body, and the pain often radiates from the lower back all the way through the back of the thigh and down through the leg.

Lumbar and Cervical Radiculopathy

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:50:15 -0800

Radiculopathy – arm pain and leg pain (sciatica)

From top to bottom down the entire length of the spine, at each spinal level nerves exit through holes in the bone of the spine (foramen) on the right side and left side of the spinal column. These nerves are called nerve roots, or radicular nerves. They branch out at each level of the spine and innervate different parts of our body.

Causes of Leg Pain and Foot Pain

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:29:06 -0800

Sciatica/Leg Pain Info:

More accurate anatomic diagnoses are made easier when patients document or catalog the characteristics of their leg pain, foot pain and other symptoms in clear descriptive terms. For example: