Vice grip on both legs with both feet feeling stiff on bottoms.

Wow -- sounds like you are going through a lot. How discouraging to have been to so many docs too -- and still no answers. I have idiopathic peripheral neuropathy which causes the bottom of my feet to sometimes feel stiff or like cardboard.

Hello @darj, welcome to Connect. I can only imagine how frightening and frustrating these symptoms must be. Other members on this site have repeatedly said that the best thing you can do is continue your quest for a diagnosis and to not give up.

I am inviting @upnorthnancy, @dolan, and @mollyb1968 who all have osteopenia and may be able to share whether or not they have had any feelings of their feet feeling of tight skin, or tight and achy legs that gives them trouble controlling them when they walk or stand.

@darj, you mentioned that you have had 3 nerve tests. When they conducted those tests, were they checking for peripheral neuropathy? If so, was that ruled out?

I would have to go back thru and see if peripheral neuropathy was the center of focus or not. I was just told that the nerves were ok. Thank you

yes that is another description of the bottom of my feet . very stiff and tight. idiopathic peripheral neuropathy aye. are you on any RX or treatments that are helping?

I am not taking any medications for peripheral neuropathy. The side effects of many are worse than the problem itself, for me. Some people also experience a lot of pain and are on medications such as Gabapentin. For me, I don't notice this all the time.

I'm new to Mayo Connect, I can only offer Empathy to @darj. then state my situation as well. @darj's description of feet like dried glue and tightness in legs, is similar to what I've been experiencing,, and am seeking answers. My contributing history is nerve damage with weakness in my left leg & drop foot from a tethered spinal cord. Also have unexplained neuropathy in my feet for 4-5 years (non-diabetic),no pain, thank God. 15 months ago, I had a TKR, both knees. Had all the usual discomforts of recovery, and all were resolved: Except, horrible vice-like tightening and wierd sensations,around my knees, and now, down the front of my legs. Makes walking quite difficult, and it throw's off my balance. Many falls, including a fall in August,with a fractured humerus. My Ortho Dr.has.said this would go away. hmmm... I've had increasing doses of Lyrica, which sometimes takes the edge off, but not enough. Anyone have a clue why this is happening, or treatment? Thanks

Hi @pammiesue51 -- I wonder if your neuropathy may be related to your tethered cord syndrome. I found an article on the National Institutes of Health site that may explain?

Adult tethered cord syndrome resembling plantar fasciitis and peripheral neuropathy:
-- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3863093/

John

Hi, @pammiesue51 -- I wanted to add my welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Your mention of a tethered spinal cord caught my attention, as it is rather rare, and my son was born with the same condition. He had a sacral dimple at birth that was watched from that time and imaged at 3 months (by which time he'd developed a significant hemangioma surrounding the sacral dimple) and confirmed as a tethered spinal cord. He had surgery shortly thereafter.

If you are comfortable sharing, how was yours discovered?

Thank you so much! I will read this tonight. Just returned from Mayo in Rochester, and now have some time. I'll give feedback.

Thanks Lisa, for the welcome, and, hoping that your son's tether release was a success, and that he is doing well!
As I describe my experience, I want you to keep in mind that his experience is, and will be completely different than mine. Early diagnosis, treatment and ongoing observation from skilled clinicians means everything..It was quite different 67 years ago, and I knew Nothing about my diagnosis until I was 27 yrs old. Most doctors then had never heard of tethered cord.

The doctor that did my delivery noticed a closed "fat pad" over the base of my spine, and commented to my mother,"I just don't know about this.", but let it go. I grew up with no feeling on the outside of my left leg & thought everyone was like that. Everything else was typical kid stuff. I was walking at my 6 month pediatric visit. I took tumbling, tap, on pointe, played sports, etc. I remember having temporary weakness below the waist if I hyper extended my back or legs, but I never mentioned it
At 22, I became an RN, married at 23 & had my first child at 27, By then, I knew the leg numbness wasn't normal, but I was too busy to figure out why. I finally saw a specialist who had me waste a year doing low back exercises.
One day, I tried to toe up with my left foot, and couldn't. I also noticed my leg was cold, and felt a bit smaller. I kind of panicked, and so did my doctor. My entire leg was 2" in diameter smaller than my other leg. He ordered a myelogram which clearly showed the tethered cord, benign tumors and spina bifida occulta. I was then referred to one of 3 neurosurgeons in the country that had experience with this. My neurosurgeon actually practiced at the hospital where I had trained, He did the most complex head and spinal surgeries there. He was rumored to be on call for President Kennedy when he visited the midwest.
We (students) were all intimidated, and afraid to make rounds with him! I became his patient, and I was still afraid of him!
He did my surgery when I was 28. I was the first adult he'd ever done. He excised the tumors and released the cord. I think he saved my future as a wife, mother, and as a nurse. I had another child at age 30, and worked another 35 years.
I recently had an MRI at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago, and found that my original surgery remains stable! As a senior citizen, I do have some problems associated with my cord, but these are also things that could happen to anyone as they age. We're retired, and both love to travel, do estate sales, and enjoy grandkids. I know this is more than you asked for, but I wanted you to know that I led a normal life.