Drop Foot and Parkinson's - is there a link?

[Dobro52]

Diagnosed with PD one year ago. Main symptoms dragging left foot and left hand tremor that both responded well to 25/100 Co-Careldopa 3 times a day. All fine till 10 days ago. Woke up, got up, started to walk, right foot felt very strange. Sat down and tried to move and rotate foot. Discovered that if I put my foot out and extended my toes I could not then return foot to a ninety degree angle. It barely retracted. If I sat down and tapped my left foot on the ground it went up and down. When I tried to move my right foot it just stayed flat on the floor, only right big toe lifted off the ground. Hobbled around for a few days as walking adversely affected, hoping it would gradually return to normal (it didn't and hasn't). Phone conversation with GP who suggested that this was either drop foot (caused by nerve damage in right leg) or possibly something arising from Parkinson's. He suggested that I slightly increase my PD meds for a few days and then, if it was PD linked, this should improve movement in right foot. Otherwise would need further investigation. Anyone with Parkinson's experienced similar drop foot symptoms or is this something I've randomly and separately acquired? Thanks.

[OREOLU]

I drag my left foot too,whenever my medication is wearing off, or before it kicks in.You might want to increase your carpidopa/levodopa dose.Work with your doctor to up your dose.

[Dobro52 in reply to OREOLU]

Thank you. Taking higher dose for 5 days so far but no effect.

[Gigi216]

I don’t have Parkinson’s but I did drag my right leg for one year and my foot wouldn’t raise I took high dose b12 and eventually in a year it got better and I walk normally today it is smaller than my left leg but functions fine with just some foot numbness occasionally. I know it was the b12 because I didn’t take a multi or any other supplements at that time it was years ago

[Dobro52 in reply to Gigi216]

Thank you. Vit B12 gets a very high mention in all sorts of PD related issues. I shall have to try it out.

[Smittybear7 in reply to Dobro52]

My folate level was 23,and my nutritionist told me to stop all b12. No explanation. Any suggestions

[38yroldmale in reply to Gigi216]

How much B12 did you take?

[Gigi216 in reply to 38yroldmale]

1000 sublingual tablet each day

[chartist in reply to Gigi216]

Are you saying 1,000 mcg per serving? That would be equivalent to 1 mg.

Art

[Gigi216 in reply to chartist]

Yes 1000 mcg per day I have taken up to 5000 mcg per day but find 1000 does fine for me

[aspergerian]

Dystonic Pseudo Foot Drop.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Dobro52]

Thanks very much for your feedback. I've got some limited 'twitching' movement back, which is good. But my foot fatigues after a short walk (with a stick) and my toes start to dip down so I have to be careful I don't trip. GP consulting with a Neurologist about best strategy. Your technological solution sounds effective for your symptoms, which must have come as a great boon.

[nkurilskaya]

It is very interesting what kind of the neurological technology are you using. If it is possible tell about this a little more. Thank you in advance.

Natalya K.

[kaypeeoh]

Years before Parkinson's I had foot drop. The reason was damage to the peroneal nerve. I had surgery where they found 90% loss of the nerve. I've always wondered if the peroneal nerve damage was an early sign of PD.

[ButterflyP]

Hi, I have drop foot and parkinsons. my neuro sent me for a mri of lower spine since a drop foot is usually due to a trapped nerve in the lower spine. mine is due to degeneration of the joint so there is nothing that can be done. i went to see a podiatrist and she pointed out that the dropped foot is different to me dragging my foot, which i also do because of parkie when my medication wears off and i find that leg hard to lift. Since i have no pain in my spine and its an ongoing situation i had a cortisone injection once in lower spine and then not again. for some people that does help and will help you differentiate between dropped foot vs dragging parkie foot. If you are seeing a movement disorder specialist, rather than a general neuro they would be able to identify this and confirm by mri.

[ButterflyP in reply to ButterflyP]

i also get mild foot dystonia when meds wear off, and/or after prolonged walking, and have terrible arthritis in the big toe joint which makes the foot stiff. After 4 years I can actually differentiate betweeen the dystonia, arthritis, foot drop and parkie in the left foot. I would suggest a foot xray and mri of lower spine as the first actions.

[simonasays in reply to ButterflyP]

wondering if you tried to go to physical therapy. Sometimes things can be mildly improved. stretches that decompress the nerve, strengthening the weakened leg muscle from nerve damage,

[simonasays]

I would definitely see a physical therapist if you can. Traditionally, PD doesnt work like that - affecting ONE muscle group. PD is an attack on the autonomic system. It's possible you already had some kind of neuropathy, foot drop, tightness and PD has exacerbated it. It may be as simple as strengthening your dorsiflexors (muscles that lift your foot) Or your plantar flexor muscle group is TOO tight from rigitidty and you need to stretch it extra. Also it could be occurring from the hip and not the foot (that hip is not lifting enough to clear the foot). Anyway ALL those things need to be checked out before increasing dosage. If you feel like dosage is good except for that issue and you are worried about falling - there are special braces. as a last resort. But try to correct the muscle imbalance if there is one first. Hope that helps.

[Dobro52 in reply to simonasays]

Thanks for your detailed and informed reply. Seeing a physical therapist who specializes in gait and reviewed regularly. As you suggest PD 'side' of body frustratingly slow. Just need to keep on with targeted exercising. BW

[Dobro52]

Physical therapist I saw specialises in gait. Put reflective dots down both legs and around waist. Then got me to walk on treadmill whilst being filmed by 3 different cameras. This built up composite image of me as a 'stick man' walking. Showed up number of issues with my gait. Then therapist measured all the angles that my lower points could move through. Again differences between PD and normal side of body. Then used pressure pads to test strength of isolated leg muscles. All this fed into computer to build up detailed lower limb profile and plan therapeutic programme. Slow but some progress.

[Santana35]

My movement disorder specialist prescribed Gabpentin to stop my toes from curling at night when I am trying to sleep. Gabapentin is anti seizure medicine and I only need a very small dosage. Works well for me. I take it as needed.