Sciatic nerve palsy and Foot drop

[aries]

Hi

I am 4 days post BHR and we found on the first day that I can't flex my big toe or my ankle. My surgeon was very surprised as he felt they were nowhere near the sciatic nerve. However, it is this nerve that has been affected. He feels there may be some bleeding around it.

Anyhow, I obviously can't walk properly with that foot so that will slow my recovery and the neural pain was really intense for 2 days but now it is just continual pins and needles in my lower shin to my toes that does not go away. I am told this is good as the sensory nerves are working and the motor nerve should catch up and I should get full use of my foot again.

anyone experienced this and have a good outcome to report.

Thanks
Rachel
PS my hip feels pretty good though 

[Pat Walter]

Hi Aries

Welcome to Hip Talk.  I did not have any nerve problems, but have read thousands of stories since 2005.  Most people that do have problems, eventually return to normal.  I understand being worried becuase I too would worry, but give yourself a little time.  I think it makes sense if your tingling that things are waking up and trying to return to normal.  I am glad you hip feels good.

Stay in touch.  Hopefully, someone that had a similar problem will talk with you.  Sometimes when people are recovered, then don't often stop by the discussion group becuase they are out and active again.  We are here to give you support until then.

Pat

[curt]

The imflammation I had with my OA was so bad that it affected both hip nerves including the sciatic.  Even with 500 mg ibuprophen it would cause spasms and pain in my lower leg.  My hope for you is that the imflammation and swelling from the surgery is doing roughly the same thing and will subside with the swelling.  Good luck and stay positive.  Curt

[hernanu]

Hi Rachel, hope that it will go away as you recover, I'm glad they feel that there are good prospects for recovery.

[aries]

Hi all

13 days post op now and feeling pretty down as I research the internet (what a dangerous thing to do). The prognosis doesn't seem good - though admittedly people don't seem to come back and say 'hey it all came right in x months'. So I am left wondering if I will ever drive again (and independence is really important to me) and have I swapped years of hip pain for years of nerve pain- which could be judged as worse. I still am not on top of the pain so feeling sorry for myself.

I am trying to get onto some nerve conduction tests to see where the nerve is injured and what the prognosis may be.

But if anyone comes along and can offer some positive recovery stories , I would love to hear it!

Rachel

[Boomer]

Aires,,

Sorry to hear about your difficulties. It's too early for you to give up hope. Nerve issues are very slow to resolve themselves.

Who was your surgeon?

Boomer

[hernanu]

Hi Rachel, as Pat mentions, there are people who have had it whose condition was reversed with time. If your doctor feels that the symptoms you have make it likely you'll get full recovery on it, then there's reason to be optimistic.

I'm not a medical person, so that's just my hopeful opinion, but we are here for you.

[aries]

Thanks for your encouragement. Patience certainly isn't one of my virtues - I like to have an action plan and feel like I am working towards a goal so am following up the nerve studies so at least I know something.

I am in NZ and my surgeon was Hugh Blackely. He was certainly surprised at this complication as it is apparently more common in a hip replacement.

I could live with the foot drop as I have been given special orthotics to help. It is the nerve pain. The drugs don't seem to help and they are a nerve sedative so not ideal as I want to get back to work next week and I need my wits about me. But I can't bear to wear shoes or have anyone touch the foot- it feels like it is on fire and it is pins and needles all day long- the sensory nerves are certainly all out of whack.

Rachel

[Pat Walter]

Hi Rachel

Some people that had nerve damage took a very long time to heal and some healed quicker.  I would still stay positive.  I know it is diffiuclt and you are constantly reminded about your foot burning and tingling, but I would not take a negative attitude yet.  Some people have taken a year or more to heal from such problems.  Most people recover from it or mostly recover from it. 

So please try to give yourself more time before thinking you can't ever drive or be normal.  Hopefully, you will be getting better.  In the meantime, please keep in touch and let us know how things are going - even if you are discouraged and upset.  It helps to write about it.

Pat

[aries]

Hi all

Just want to keep updating. I think some of my down mood last week was because I keep reading negative stories on nerve pain and foot drop etc and very few come back later to say 'yay- it all worked out and this is how long it took' so I want to update regularly and eventually be able to say 'yay'

So, a week on and I still don't have movement. The pain is being managed by some strong drugs and I am not thrilled to be on them but my mood and ability to function is certainly better than curling up on the couch begging people to not go near my foot.

I have had some rehab and talked to some professionals and here in NZ, it is looking like ACC will accept the claim so I should get help with taxis to get to/from work etc.. I am still waiting to get nerve conduction tests- I check the letterbox daily to see for an appointment time.

My hip is doing really well. Some groin pain which seems normal and I overdid the rehab this morning and tweaked a muscle under my IT band. But I am thrilled with the resurfacing operation and looking forward to full functioning eventually.

I am off crutches 2w12 days after the operation though of course I need orthotics to help my foot.  So now, I have 2 foci- the hip rehabbing and getting my foot to move. I hope to be able to drive in the near future. My husband will take me down and we will practice on the flat somewhere quiet and see how I go.

Rachel

[PistolPete]

I really hope things work out for you.  Please keep us all updated with your progress. Have you met with any neurologists or nerve specialists?  We'll all say a prayer for you for a full recovery.

[hernanu]

Hi Rachel, really pulling for you on this, I'm glad you're keeping in touch. Good news about the hip, hope the foot follows form.

[Pat Walter]

Hi Rachel

I am glad to hear the hip is doing pretty well, but am sad to hear the foot is still a problem.  I hope that it will get better with time.  Maybe you will be able to work out a way to drive.  Thank You for giving us an update.  We all know that things do happen and it could have been any one of us, so we are with you and keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

Pat

[aries]

Morning all

Nearly 4 weeks since the BHR and my hip is doing so well. I am thrilled with this operation with regards to hip pain and new range of motion etc.. Just need to work on the strength of the muscles surrounding now.

The nerve pain is mostly controlled but I hate the strength of strong painkillers I am on. However, there is little I can do about this if I want to work and live without curling in a ball in pain. ACC has accepted my claim officially so that will reduce expenses related to the nerve and so now, just waiting for the nerve conduction test appointment which should be soon.

so that tells you that I still have no movement in my foot drop BUT... I can drive and I am so happy because it gives me independence. I went with my family down to the section of town where all the teenagers learn to drive- long straight wide quiet street on a Sunday afternoon and I drove easily. Yes, I have some little adjustments to do with foot function but I even drove home and my husband was quite happy that I wasn't exaggerating my ability

So even though my foot sucks and it hurts, my mood has lifted because I feel more in control of things!

So ... wee steps and a bit of patience and I will get there!

Rachel

[hernanu]

That's good, Rachel - I like your attitude and that the hip is doing well. The foot may be a longer project, but hoping it heals well over time, I'm sure it will. I'm glad about the driving, independence, etc.

[Kiwi]

Hi Rachel
Glad to hear you are making some progress with these issues. When will you find out more about your upset nerves? What advice has Hugh given you?
Simon

[Rolls]

Hey Rachel,
I wish you all the best...please don't give in...you still have a long way to go for total recovery.  You live in the most beautiful countries I have ever visited, just be thankful for what you have and it will all turn out for the best.  Pain sure sucks...but remember there are people worse off than you.  Keep fighting and keep us informed.

[aries]

Hi all

just over 5 weeks post op and really liking the hip. Still can't comfortably put my socks on (though my stupid foot drop means my foot doesn't help me much!) but definitely better range of motion and slowly building the strength up. It does take longer than I thought though my rehab guy tells me that 5 weeks is nothing for a major operation (feels like forever to me )

Anyway- got the nerve tests yesterday and there is good and bad news. He is positive that it should regenerate but of course at only 1mm per day (thank goodness I have short legs). I had hoped it would be just the common peroneal but it has been pinpointed to between knee and pelvis so somewhere in the thigh. That is better than it being a back issue. So it comes down to either ischemia during the operation or some exuberant twisting of my leg during the operation. The other positive I suppose is that it is not directly my sciatic but a branch.

So- overall positive for the situation- though I still had a bit of a cry yesterday. Just feel like I have spent a fortune on my hip over the years and I still got this bad luck. My osteopath/physio told me I should never buy a lottery ticket (though I think I will )

Rachel

[hernanu]

I'd buy that ticket, Rachel - you've got a lot of goodwill coming your way from here, so you might win.

I think it sounds like good news overall. Your hip sounds like it's going well; at five weeks I also could put the socks on, but it was an adventure. Your rehab guy is right.

The best news is that it will regenerate. At that rate, depending on how much of your nerve was insulted by the procedure, you may see very good improvements over time. Especially since it is a branch, so good stuff. You've been handed an extra burden, but it will come good.

[Boomer]

Buy the ticket.