Leg Injury

[my73charger]

Hi,

I injured the lower muscle in my right leg last month and the result was some pretty serious nerve damage.  As a result, my right foot is dropped - aka "drop foot."  My docs tell me that the nerve, "peronial nerve" will regenerate, but it could take a year or longer.  I am getting a foot brace to wear until who knows when.  My questions for you is has anyone here ever experienced this?  I am so bummed out, Muscle Car Shootout is this weekend at Brainerd International Raceway and it will be the first one I have missed in about 5 years.  No racing for me with slow response..

Tim

[elacruze]

Yep, I have nerve damage all over.

Don't get a brace if you can get along without it. Use a brace only at night to keep your calf muscle from shortening. Do an hour of calf stretching every day, preferably in the morning to keep it long and practice lifting the foot.
For me, after my initial injury it took about 3 years to get back to 90% function and I discovered improvements for about 10 years.
The harder you work it, the faster it will return. Take B-Vitamin complex every day, too. B Vitamins provide nutrients for nerves and also shield the nerves and sheaths from blood sugar-that's particularly important if you're diabetic or overweight.
The best therapy for foot drop IMO is riding a bicycle with toe clips-it forces you to work the front of the lower leg to smooth pedal stroke. 

[71ChallengeHer]

My foot did that when I was in the Cuda accident. I had a very serious break. (an open explosion fracture) It was pretty close to the doc taking it off.  It kinda looked like a bird claw . I use to sit on the sofa and pull my foot up toward my leg, with my hand or those long rubber bands. Good luck, I can walk on mine, now  and drive a stick.  

[my73charger]

Thanks for the tips.  I appreciate that.   I will go get some of the B vitamins asap.  I take a daily multi as well so I won't mind taking another.  I am doing physical therapy twice a week and working the legs every day at home as well.  Man it is hard to be patient with this, but I guess I have no choice.

[my73charger]

My foot did that when I was in the Cuda accident. I had a very serious break. (an open explosion fracture) It was pretty close to the doc taking it off.  It kinda looked like a bird claw . I use to sit on the sofa and pull my foot up toward my leg, with my hand or those long rubber bands. Good luck, I can walk on mine, now  and drive a stick.  

Good idea on the rubber band things.  Will give that a try as well.  How long did it take for you to overcome the foot drop?

[71ChallengeHer]

My foot did that when I was in the Cuda accident. I had a very serious break. (an open explosion fracture) It was pretty close to the doc taking it off.  It kinda looked like a bird claw . I use to sit on the sofa and pull my foot up toward my leg, with my hand or those long rubber bands. Good luck, I can walk on mine, now  and drive a stick.  

Good idea on the rubber band things.  Will give that a try as well.  How long did it take for you to overcome the foot drop?

I was on crutches for over a year. I think prolly about 3 months. But I worked my foot a lot. Good Luck.

[Brock Lee]

Yup, I had it on both feet, the left healed (about a year and a half later), the right will likely never heal (it has been 15 years, so I have given up hope). The brace...they are going to push that thing, so just take it and smile, then toss it in the closet. My biggest complaint with the brace is it weakens the ankle. After a week of wearing it, I couldn't walk without it.

[tan top]

My foot did that when I was in the Cuda accident. I had a very serious break. (an open explosion fracture) It was pretty close to the doc taking it off.  It kinda looked like a bird claw . I use to sit on the sofa and pull my foot up toward my leg, with my hand or those long rubber bands. Good luck, I can walk on mine, now  and drive a stick.  

Good idea on the rubber band things.  Will give that a try as well.  How long did it take for you to overcome the foot drop?

I was on crutches for over a year. I think prolly about 3 months. But I worked my foot a lot. Good Luck.

ouch , was on crutches over a year my self & two lots of 4 months a piece after each opperation after smashing my ankle to bits
after the taylor spacial frame & lazraof frames came off with pins rods & screws, the hospital gave me one of thses to wear for a while , also the physio gave me a big rubber band , called a theraband or something ,

[my73charger]

Thanks again everyone.  This really stinks.  I hope the nerve regenerates.

[71ChallengeHer]

Thanks again everyone.  This really stinks.  I hope the nerve regenerates.

Just keep working at it. Don't give up.     

[chargergirl]

My niece broke most of the small bones in her foot and did tendon and nerve damage. She was a showgirl in Vegas and brought her foot down in four inch spikes while rehearsing. She is fine now...they thought she would have to have surgery to fix the damage after the break healed. She worked the foot just the way they are telling you to. It comes back...maybe not 100 percent but it comes. Good Luck this is a tough, long term, recovery...I have damage in my left hand...every once in a while the pain wakes me up...most days it's just fine.

[my73charger]

Thanks for the encouragement 71ChallengeHer and Chargergirl!  I am working on it.   

[twodko]

Man, that blows! Keep working it Tim and I completely agree with Brock Lee. It'll take a while but you'll be speed shifting in no time.

[my73charger]

Man, that blows! Keep working it Tim and I completely agree with Brock Lee. It'll take a while but you'll be speed shifting in no time.

Thanks!

[472 R/T SE]

 No racing for me with slow response..

Doesn't stop me. 

[Mike DC]

   
Good luck with the foot.  


For what it's worth, I swear every muscle and joint in my body is recovering faster after I started taking an expensive Omega 3+6+9 supplement.  (The more common Omega-3 tablets were not enough.)

 

[The70RT]

Sorry to hear that. I had foot surgery about a year ago and mine still hurts. Good luck with your recovery.

[my73charger]

Hey guys.  Just wanted to say thanks for all the well wishes.  I have an update.  I have begun to lift four of my toes and I can lift the foot quite a bit now.  The big toe is not lifting yet, but I have high hopes at this point.  I still don't have feeling back in the tissue yet either, but maybe that will come back as well.  I am doing physical therapy twice every week and I think some of my strength is returning as well.   

[RD]

great to hear!! keep up the hard work (because i know its hard).  I'll be praying for you!

[71ChallengeHer]

Glad to hear your doing better. Don't give up. Keep at it.

[General_01]

Keep thinking about BIR and you will get there.

[bull]

Good to hear. Keep it up (literally).

[tan top]

 thats good to hear 

[elacruze]

That's great! It probably seems like forever, but don't lose sight of how little time has passed and how much improvement you've made.

[my73charger]

Thanks again everyone!