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Thigh weakness/foot drop after spine surgery

Spine Health | Last Active: May 3 10:53am | Replies (77)
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@gently

If the nerve was damaged at the compression site, recovery may take longer. The perineal nerve is sourced at L-4,
5 and travels down the sciatic nerve where it branches off. Damage at any place along that path can cause the foot to drop. If there were nerve conduction studies ( EMG) from the exit at L4-5 you could be confident that the release was at the causitive position. Damage to this nerve is not uncommon during low back surgery. I would redo the EMG, get ankle-foot orthotics and physical therapy.

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Replies to "If the nerve was damaged at the compression site, recovery may take longer. The perineal nerve..."
beedom | @beedom | Feb 23 12:30pm

Thank you so much for your reply. The first EMG showed compression below the knee. I had another EMG about 7 weeks after the release and it showed some inervation below the release site. I was also told based on the test, that should my foot not recover, I am eligible for tendon transfer. Obviously, having it come back is what I'm hoping for. In the meantime, I have had a hip replacement on the oposire side and that has delayed the foot therapy. I have always had some slight movement in the foot, but it never goes beyond that movement. I guess I'm over anxious for improvement. Having the drop foot has changed my world and taken away life as I knew it.
Thank you so much for your reply!

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