Neuropathy question.

[Ritchie1268]

Hello all.

Had a letter today after seeing the really nice Neurologist around 3 weeks ago.

I managed to get a cancellation appointment to have the nerve tests done but don't have the results of these as of yet.

In the letter that was also sent to my Dr, in the main paragraph it states the following:

"On examination today, he had a normal gait. Tandem walk was normal. Power in the upper limbs was

normal. In his lower limbs, tone was normal. However power was reduced at hip flexion bilaterally

because of lower back pain. Reflexes were globally reduced but definitely absent in his ankles and supinator

bilaterally. Plantars were downgoing. Sensory examination was unremarkable.

In summary, this gentleman has evidence to suggest an underlying peripheral neuropathy".

I know I have to wait for the nerve tests for confirmation but, what is the "supinator bilaterally, plantars downgoing & sensory examination was unremarkable" all mean?

If it means the nerves to my ankles have had it, (in my terminology) have regular injections been known to reverse these issues?

Thank you as always.

Ritchie

[fbirder]

The normal reflexes that the doc tests for by tapping your ankles or elbows (that's the supinator) aren't there. On either side (bilaterally).

The plantar reflex is the one the doc tests by scraping the pointy thing along the sole of your foot. The normal response is the one you have - the big toe curls downwards. Nerve damage is shown by it curling upward (called the Babinski response).

You appear to have no problems feeling when the doc poked you with something (sensory examination unremarkable).

I'm not sure if these findings are consistent with a neuropathy caused by a B12 deficiency, or something else. So I can't really say if the injections will fix it. Even if it is B12 related, nerve damage can take a long time to fix. But it would mean that it wouldn't get any worse.

[Ritchie1268 in reply to fbirder]

That's great fbirder.

Thank you for explaining it.