neuropathy and foot drop

Hello jhill, I had a nerve biopsy as part of the procedure in the diagnosis of CIDP. the pathology report was positive for demyelination of the nerve axons. There was pain involved after and I was fully aware that would be the case. Both my feet have dropped and I now use braces that lift my toes, these help me to walk more normally. If you go ahead with the biopsy have good talk to the Surgeon, I hope I have been of assistance and best wishes to you Rob396

Do either of your leg/s and/or feet feel numb?

Can you wiggle your toes on both feet?

My left feet and calf areais numb. I have very little movement in my toes.
My right feet is must better than the left feet when it comes to numbness. I did have a decompression surgery on my right leg to address the foot drop. It has improved.

Thank you Rob396.
The information you provided was very helpful.

I had drop foot 2 years ago and had a brace. I went to pt for 3 months and now, no brace and walk fine. My pt was amazing.

I have not been made aware of the biopsy procedure. I have drop foot for both left and right, the right being much worse. I can barely move my toes on the right. I do wear 2 braces, use a cane and sometimes a walker. I’m having a vascular arterial pressure wave exam of the lower extremities, bilaterally. I have lots of numbness and a temperature difference, both lower extremities are cold, but the right side is @ 5° colder. The peroneal nerve on both legs causes great pain as well.

I’m 55, had my first surgery at age 11 to remove one tumor attached to my spine. At 31 we discovered many tumors (16) along my spine, with nerves growing through them. They could not be removed but I did have radiation. Could that be why I have bilateral drop foot? No one can confirm, yet. I’m hopeful I will ask about the biopsy as well. Side note, I do have a SCS, it’s my 2nd one. The first could never reach an area of pain. The second one (placed in 11/2021) is MRI compatible and is in a better location. It doesn’t take pain away, just “distracts” my brain from constant nerve pain.

Thank you all for your comments. I am so thankful for these support groups. It has been a very long, lonely road.

Hi Rob396,
What did they recommend after the biopsy and did it improve your condition.

Hello jhill, the nerve biopsy was one of a series of tests to confirm the diagnosis of CIDP. My Neurologist was able to certify the diagnosis so that the cost my treatment would be covered by PBS. He then initiated my receiving IVIG infusions, starting with 5 over 5 days and then 1 every 28 days, I now have had 20 infusions. My neuropathy had in 5 months extended from below my knees to the top of my thighs, hence all the tests to find the cause. Am I showing any improvement? I was starting to get symptoms in my hands, that has now gone and I feel that my thighs have improved. I had the PN start in my toes and over 12 years progressed to below my knees and was stable there for about 3 years before the rapid progression. So maybe from the knees down may not respond, time will tell. Rob 39
.

First diagnosed with PN around 2015, series of MRI's in 2015, 2017 and 2019 with various EMG tests over the years. Finally, Mayo diagnosis was idiopathic sensory motor PN. In 2019 started to develop drop foot. Mayo suggested ankle foot orthotics. Since 2020 been wearing Ottobock AFO's, WalkOn Flex which helps with drop foot and provides improved balance. They go on in the morning and off at night eliminate tripping and falling flat on my face. Went thru my physical therapist who contacted my primary physician, script written, insurance covered cost.