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Thigh weakness/foot drop after spine surgery
Spine Health | Last Active: May 3 10:53am | Replies (77)Comment receiving replies
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is a slowly developing autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the myelin that insulates and protects your body's nerves.
I think you left out the "demyelinating" part unless CIPD is something else.
I have foot drop on the right which developed suddenly along with severe right radicular leg pain. An MRI showed that I had severe spinal stenosis. Given the sudden onset neurological changes in the context of severe spinal stenosis that explained the foot drop ---not.
Fortunately, an EMG/NCS was done to "delineate the damage." The results EMG/NCS showed diffuse peripheral neuropathy involving my arms and legs. Neuropathy of the peroneal nerve caused the foot drop.
I still have severe lumbar spinal stenosis. Nobody could explain why I have peripheral neuropathy so it was called idiopathic. I do have autoimmune problems so I suspected CIDP might be the cause except the foot drop happened suddenly.
Replies to "Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is a slowly developing autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune..."
Which specialist was able to diagnose your problem? I’ve seen my PCP, neurosurgeon, and ortho and they can’t. I’m scheduled with a neurologist in June.
Hello,
I think we have different issues although my foot drop does seem to come from the Peroneal nerve. Is anyone suggesting surgery for the spinal stenonis?
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Do you still have your foot drop? I had no idea what it was. I only knew I was tripping and slapping when I walked. I did mix up the acryomen. I have CIDP. My NCT/EMG didn't show any spinal stenosis causing my foot drop. Further studies were done after I had another radiculopathy episode, outside my spine again, it eventually led to my diagnosis of CIDP. I had significant conduction delays on my testing. That's only what I can remember off the top of my head. I had to have a sural nerve biopsy that left that area completely numb. Did you have a biopsy? I sure that must have been really alarming for you.
Further testing showed a remitting course of demyelination with remyelination as the nerves repaired themselves. Mine only affects my long motor nerves/fibers. I didn't have any sensory symptoms nor do I remember it being very painful outside of the muscles reacting to not being able to lift my arm. I simply could not lift it just like with the foot drop. Both resolved on their own. I just remember it being such a whirlwind of testing and that's probably close to 8 years ago. Now I just do annual testing. No treatment. I know my balance has now been affected-my neurologist noted that first. I can't do a toe-heel test because I just fall over. He told me he doesn't think I'll end up in a wheelchair and I hold on to that. This is why I don't think what I am experiencing is related to CIDP. I'm not feeling weak in my legs, it is more of a hot burning, deepness of pain mainly in my upper thigh on one side where my hip and butt hurt. How have you been dealing with your stenosis? Have they told you you need surgery? How much does it affect your daily activities? Every time I've see an MRI of my own that says "severe" I've had to have surgery because it's impinging on my cord and causing the thecal sac to narrow. That's been limited only to cervical. Do you have degenerative disc disease? I do-it's just a fancy word for arthritis. I developed OA nodules in my fingers in my 30's. I also have scoliosis from that. I appreciate your comments.