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Anyone lost the ability to walk due to peripheral neuropathy?
Neuropathy | Last Active: 3 days ago | Replies (110)Comment receiving replies
Yes I have had all the tests the neurosurgeon ordered. According to him he found nothing that he could fix with surgery. Basically he said I might recover my ability to walk with extensive physical therapy. Funny thing is I’m numb but I’m not in pain. The other thing is I also have arthritis pretty bad in both knees and when I get them injected every three months I can almost walk without my walker. Or at least get around so much so easier and with no fear of my legs collapsing and falling. My knee doctor will not replace my knees until I have my neuropathy gone. I’m so frustrated because I believe I could regain my strength in my lower legs if I had new knees. The injections only make me stronger for about 3 weeks. The doctor will only due the injections every 3 months and I’m not sure but I think that is the insurance policy. Anyway my life is mostly just sitting watching tv and waiting for those 3 months to pass. Thanks for responding and best wishes to you.
Replies to "Yes I have had all the tests the neurosurgeon ordered. According to him he found nothing..."
@rjack6618
What do the knee injections do if you are not in pain? Do they cause the numbness to go away? If so, that means you have inflammation and irritation in the joint from too much rubbing and movement. You need stability in your knee which sounds like knee replacement may help..
Have you only tried cortisone shots or have you tried biologics?
"I’m so frustrated because I believe I could regain my strength in my lower legs if I had new knees."
Oh boy, @rjack6618, do I relate! My knees, in my estimation, are what stand between me and recovering a modicum of leg strength. I saw my orthopedist a month ago––I was there for his nurse to give me yet another injection––and meeting the doc in the hall asked in passing if, at 80 and with large-fiber neuropathy, I'd "aged out" of knee transplant eligibility. I know I caught him off-guard. He stumbled an answer: "Oh, no, no. We could consider a replacement." Something tells me, if were seriously to discuss the possibility of a replacement and I were to honestly tell him about my balance issues, he might revise his thinking. In the meantime, I'll continue with PT, apologizing to my therapist for not showing more improvement. Oh, these dang knees. 🙂 –Ray (@ray666)
@rjack6618 - My neuropathy is from 4 inches below the knees to toes, all numbness, poor balance, zero pain (thankful!!). My knees are a mess and was getting cortisone shots every 3 months. The shots work for 6 - 8 weeks and the last 4 - 6 weeks prior to next shot was painful. Osteoporosis is a concern so now, the orthopedic surgeon will give me shots no earlier than 5 months apart and he is absolutely correct. Due to peripheral neuropathy and greater chance of falling, my knees can't be replaced. Voltaren cream does reduce knee pain along with Advil. On my end, the insurance will pay every 3 months, but it is more of medical concern. I'm holding off on the next shots until early Dec to get me through the holidays. Unfortunately, we need to time our abilities, activities like trips to availability of knee shots. Nonetheless, I keep moving the best I can, and as painful as it may be, I keep walking.
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@rjack6618
I can relate with the limited quality of life.
You need a new hip/knee orthopedic specialist to evaluate your knees. There is no such thing as neuropathy “going away” before an orthopedic surgeon does surgery. I have neuropathy and have had 3 spine surgeries and carpal tunnel surgery. I am in my mid 50s. Do you think you are being dismissed due to age?