Footdrop After Surgery Questions Posted: 11-16-07 00:10am
(I think I already posted this at the end
of another thread.)
I just talked w/ my sister today, who just
had Knee replacement surgery on Monday,
and discovered yesterday that she now has
Footdrop!
I'd like to learn what I can about this,
like what can be done, prognosis, etc...
Can anyone give me more information about
this?
The surgery was to repair a knee that was
badly damaged in a car wreck several years
ago. I'd like to know how prevailent this
is, and is it likely to clear up
spontaneously, once the swelling goes
down? From what she said, the operation
went a lot longer than they had planned,
and that may have had something to do with
it.
Is there anything that ought to be done in
the near or immediate future?
I'd appreciate any info I can get on the
subject.
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yogahoneybunny
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Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 888 Location: Strumica, Macedonia
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Posted: 11-25-07 04:25am
I'm sorry to hear that. The condition
will probably not heal itself
spontaneously, as it is caused by with
nerve, muscle, or anatomic damage. Latest
treatments for footdrop include
stimulation of the peroneal nerve that
lifts the foot when you step and braces
like The Soft Foot Drop Brace. But the
treatment for foot drop will depend upon
the cause --- do you know exactly what is
causing your sister to walk like this?
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Snaffles
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 Nov 2007 Posts: 3
Posted: 11-25-07 19:03pm
They told her that the surgery, which was
supposed to have lasted about 2 hours,
went on for 4 hours, due to all of the
scar tissue (from previous auto accident.)
They said that they had possibly left the
tourniquet on for too long and damaged the
Peronial Nerve.
I'm wondering how much improvement might
there be, once the swelling from the
surgery goes down? It has been nearly a
week since her surgery, and she is home
now. They fitted her w/ some sort of
brace. Her PT has been slower than
originally planned b/c of the footdrop
complication, but she reports that it is
going better now than before. She has been
experienceing some pain in the Tibialis
Anterior, which sounds like a good thing
to me- in that I should think that
indicates some neurological activity. I'd
appreciate any info, as her doctor has
really not been forthcoming with
information.
Is there anything that she ought to know
at this point in time, that might
influence her recovery? (Like, are there
any particular therapies, etc that need to
be started sooner, rather than later?)
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yogahoneybunny
Supporter
Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 888 Location: Strumica, Macedonia
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Posted: 11-26-07 09:08am
For Peroneal nerve damage, neuromuscular
stimulation and FES are referred to as
potential treatment options. I also want
to let you know that I'm not speaking from
personal experience, but this information
is based on some preliminary online
research. I'll be happy to help you.
