Can physical therapy help me recover from foot drop?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 32 years old and had an herinated disc and had surgery a few years back, it was a post delayed surgery. Due to the delay in surgery (18 days) I left with a foot drop and right leg weakness. I was bedridden for 4 months. Totally weak. But I gradually developed doing physiotheraphy and with some

Ayurvedic treatment. I started waking now with out any help. But my foot drop is still there. But I can lift my toe and ankle little bit from last month. Can I come to my normal life, how long I need to wait to get cured from foot drop?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can advise you in detail if I have your detailed neurological charting, including assessment of motor power, sensory charting of lower limbs, and evaluation of deep tendon reflexes. Also, the latest MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the LS spine is required to see the adequacy of decompression.

To answer your query, the best results come early after the spinal decompression surgery if motor loss can be ascribed to compression in the spinal cord or roots. Also, intensive physical therapy helps you to gain power.

But since you have started gaining power, it can continue for at least 6 more months, so my advice to you will be to continue with intensive physical therapy, including muscle stimulation, vitamin B12 intake, and come back to me with your neurological charting and MRI films so that I can see and advise you further.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.