Degenerative discs irritating nerves, causing foot numbness

@persistentc
you said.... lying on my back with my knees up and my feet on a warm (not hot) heating pad seems to help a lot.

I would check with your doctor about about some type of lumbar stenosis.....maybe get an MRI......should be correctable

@soby Wow. I didn’t know that. Thanks.

@llanfi Since 2021 I have been diagnosed with spinal stenosis (narrowing of the nerve canal), spondylosis (age related spinal disc problems plus osteoporosis), scoliosis (curvature of the spine), radiculopathy (nerve root compression) and listhesis (slipping or displacement of one bone (disc) on another) all from L-2 to L-5. I also fell in early 2025 causing a compression fracture of L-3 which has since healed but complicated matters. This was all verified by many MRIs, X-rays and other diagnostics over a period of several years. In order to have any hopes of accurately knowing what my specialists and surgeons were telling me about my specific condition I had to learn what those medical terms meant in English so I could truly understand and relate to my problems. I certainly am not sufficiently versed to qualify using the Latin, but I believe I do know somewhat about this in English. With that said-I was convinced ((as I could be about any procedure this invasive) that only surgery, with its physical widening of the narrowing, supporting of the discs and otherwise strengthening what was weak was my only option. I had the initial surgery 8/2024 to modify L-4 and L-5 and when that healed another surgery 4/26 to complete whatever could be helped from L-2 to L5. That's a very simple recap of a very complicated issue-hope it helps. I do understand your reticence for the results determine the quality of your wellbeing.

Hi,
Thanks for your help!

Did they do standard decompression surgeries?
There is an alternative called "Endoscopic lumbar surgery" : Did your surgeon discuss this?

"Endoscopic lumbar decompression is a minimally invasive procedure to relieve pressure on spinal nerves caused by conditions such as spinal stenosis or disc herniation. The goal is to create more space for the nerves while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.

During the procedure, the surgeon makes a small incision in the lower back and gently separates the muscles rather than cutting through them. An endoscope or operating microscope provides a magnified view of the surgical area, allowing for precise removal of bone and soft tissue compressing the nerve"

Please ignore my message if it is in any way distressing to you.

I hope you have continued success, it looks as if you are in good hands!

Best regards,
llanfi

@centre I've had bilateral drop foot for about 7 years and walking around without my AFO's is somewhat limited. When I do walk short distances without AFO on, I walk like I have flippers on my feet ready to do some snorkeling. My knees naturally lift high, so my toes don't get caught and I trip. Drop foot started one afternoon out of the blue. All of a sudden, my left foot started to slap and 6 months later, the right. Mayo told me all part of PN.

@llanfi My neurosurgeon did not specially discuss Endoscopic lumbar surgery as a consideration. What was discussed was the very limited options determined by factors such as the significant number, seriousness and large lumbar area to be addressed. In a cursory look up of this procedure I found many sources to be medical practices looking for new patients, thus a positive bias, and indeed there should be because of the many benefits. But, many precautions kept popping up some inherent and some specific to this procedure. The provider can only see a very limited area, the provider is working in an extremely tight area increasing the probability of ancillary damage. Only a limited amount of physical alteration can be reasonably expected. If Endoscopic lumbar surgery checks all the boxes, it sounds preferrable to what I went through, although each can have specific draw backs along with the specific benefits. I think it is normal for most to second guess (at least just wonder) decisions such as this-but for the most part I am satisfied-hope you will be too.