Femoral Nerve Damage & Quad Atrophy – No Diagnosis, No Recovery

@hermionegr62442
Before you had symptoms 10 years ago, did you have an accident, injury or hip/abdomen/spine surgery?

Do you have diabetes? Did you ever have a fractured pelvis or bleeding in abdomen? Did you work in a job where you had to stand for extended periods of time or lift heavy things where you needed to flex your leg muscles many times while moving in certain ways repetitively?

1. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324084
2. https://www.healthline.com/health/femoral-nerve-dysfunction
3. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21786-femoral-nerve
4. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/femoral-nerve-dysfunction
5. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/femoral-nerve-dysfunction

Hi herm,

I know the Mayo Clinic in JAX, and if they can't find an answer - well that's pretty rare.

You mention "50% femoral nerve conductivity". How was this measured?

I'm sorry I don't have more for you. When I have issues, especially with bones or muscles, I go to a "Dr of Physical Medicine" - she is part of the orthopedic clinic I use. I go to her when I have a problem with no clear cause, and she has had answers. It often ends in a referral to another specialist, but it beats hunting around. Your case sounds like this - no clear cause for the reduced nerve conductivity in your left quad.

These Drs use to be referred to as "Sports Medicine Drs". You should be able to find one in the orthopedic group at Mayo. I'm sorry I don't have more for you.

Joe

Knee replacement and having sciatic nerve issues two years post surgery. This is a physical issue I am having currently!

I had left hip weakness for 1 & 1/2 years. After going to 5 doctors to no avail, my neurologist found out that I was claudicated & had a left iliac artery blockage. It was Awful as I was getting weaker & weaker, could hardly walk. You should have your doctor rule that out. The morning after surgery, I was able to walk like I never had a problem. I can’t tell you how Grateful I am to my neurologist as he finally figured it out. Everyone I saw told me it was my spine. Granted I have a terrible spine but my EMG was completely normal. I had vascular surgery & a stent placed in my left iliac artery. I also had thigh atrophy… it was a terrible & scary experience!!! I had no pulse in my left lower leg & no one but my neurologist really gave me a thorough exam!!! The vascular surgeon couldn’t believe my neurologist was the one who finally diagnosed me. It may not of course be your problem but after reading your post felt I had to post this. The Best of Luck to You!!!

I don't think sciatic nerve issues would have anything to do with a knee replacement. I'm not even sure that is what you're implying, but it looks like it.

Sciatic nerve problems are best diagnosed and fixed by a neuro or ortho spine surgeon, or both.

Hi rb2,

Thanks for sharing this, and I'm glad you're doing well.

This stresses how important it is to find a good PCP and good specialists and surgeons. In some places, you can also find Drs of Physical Medicine, typically part of an orthopedic group. (These Drs used to go by the title of Sports-Medicine Physician, and some still do. I use one and she has referred me to the appropriate specialist for conditions I can't figure out.

As for finding a surgeon - if you're new to an area (or even if you aren't), I suggest finding a Dr from his or her mid 30s to mid 40s, with a solid medical college and/or residency pedigree. Some obvious names are Mayo and Cleveland Clinic. There are many other excellent schools of medicine in the USA. Look for the acceptance rates. For example, The University of Wisconsin Medical College accepts 3% of all applicants, and only 6 graduates are accepted into orthopedic residency each year. These are very accomplished individuals.

All the best to everyone!

Joe

I went just recently to a ortho surgeon. He confirmed that the surgery could have effected my sciatic nerve and stretching and my months possibly a couple of years may be all that helps this issue! Lots of be gay too!

Yes, I understand the frustration and it’s scary. I have left leg atrophy. 15 years later or maybe even 25, my orthopedic surgeon is looking at this as it has been a slow degeneration. In my case it’s probably caused by the quality equina nerve route running out of L3 L4, L5, which was Crushed when my disc fell out and my vertebrae‘s grafted together. I had a fusion surgery and lumbar laminectomy in 2018. This freed the entrapped and crushed nerves but it can take 10 years for them to grow back. I’m 68 now, the leg is still atrophying and suffering neuropathy radiculopathy. As far as I can tell, I have to spend extra time working on the atrophied leg. About two months ago I started an hour hour and a half every day on a stationary bike and that was in addition to my twice a day walking. I have experienced much better health and a lot less pain. My degenerative disc condition seems to mean that my spine degenerates and reeks all this havoc through the rest of my body. My orthopedic surgeon is excellent and he monitors my spines decline. I’ve also chosen to get periodic Cortizone injections, which relieve the pain in the atrophy leg 100% and allow for me to use the leg much better. Good luck.

Thanks for the update january. Well' the sciatic nerve runs the length of the leg, so if it was affected by the knee surgery, you would have calf cramping and pain.

As for everything else - Whatever Gets You Through the Night! - John Lennon (RIP)