Question
I experienced drop foot in early March apparently from walking in different (heavier) shoes.  Have been to 5 doctors (orthopedist, neurologist, D.O., podiatrist, and plastic surgeon.  Have had spinal and knee MRIs.  I seem to be presenting with unusual aspects to the foot drop - the numbness is irregular, I have skin sensation - but the dorsiflexion is gone and eversion is faint.  Please can you recommend someone in the NYC area who could help (as you suggested you could in your answer to the person who bent his back strangely and felt a snap in his leg).  I'm eager to try to fix this if possible without waiting the year until the nerve grows back (as they tell me).  The surgeon said he can't see any compression, tho L5 compression is suspected.  Thank you very much.

Answer
Hi Jean,

I don't suspect L5 as a source if the onset of foot drop correlates to the heavy shoes. Rather, I suspect the entrapment in the ankle, not the proximal fibula or low back. This is difficult to pin down without direct physical examination. I am sure you are aware that motor nerves don't grow back, only sensory. I got the impression your doctor informed you that motor function would return in a year after the nerve grows back. This is not true, only sensory nerves come back, that's not to say you'll never get motor control back. If it is compression causing the motor loss, I suspect it has to be, ie; no trauma cutting nerve, then you have to assume it is entrapped at the outside ankle bone. Not to worry, this is treatable.
Like I stated in the response to the question on 6/28, a MRI or EMG won't detect superficial branch entrapment because everyone has a different location for the nerves. EMG is good for main nerves, but small hair like structures don't make good targets.

I have to find a Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist in your area to work this up. I will scan the directory for DACBN certified physicians in your area. This may take a bit of time, I have to call each one and brief them on the problem and assess their capability to diagnose and treat this condition. Many DACBN's only do research while others only teach, I will need to find someone that is engaged in active practice. Given your location, I hope I can. I will let you know by Friday (Holidays screw things up) and let you know. I assure you I will do my best.

Maybe you could also give me a complete and thorough history of onset? Heavy shoes? Did you sprain the ankle or suffer blunt trauma? Do you have a history of chronic ankle sprain or back problems? These answers would be very helpful.
Thank you.

Talk to you soon,
Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com