Seeking Help: Weak Foot, Painful Walking

[Resilientgirl]

I really need your helpI am scared I might have some terrible disease. I have weakness in my foot. right one only. I feel its going to give up on me. I can still walk on toes stand on heels and balance on each feet. but It feels weird. I have done an EMG on that leg and foot and doctor said it was clean. Should I get another EMG. was it done too early. please helpmy right feet is painful when i drive and i get tired from switching from gas to break pedal. is that a sign of a foot drop. how does foot drop occur. my feet also get numb. I have a disc herniation on L5 and a nerve compressed but not sure which side. Please help me

 

[TheShadow]

Hi.Did your EMG was done when already you fell weakness?Or it was done before?If its first option and EMG clear then its not clinical weakness.I understand your worries.

 

[Resilientgirl]

EMG was done when I had weakness in leg but not foot. Does Thst mean I have to redo it ?

 

[TheShadow]

So when felt weakness in legs Emg was clear so it was not real clinical weakness.Maybe now its the same iwth foot.I remeber myself in december when i felt my right arm is heavier and 2 fingers of left hand not ok.I made EMG and it was clear.But If it will make you more calm then go for next emg.There was time when i joke to my neuro i will visit him every week so i understand you.Wish you all good.I now go sleep.

 

[michelangelozo]

HiNo there is no reason to re-do the EMG test, especially if you were perceiving weakness at the time of the test. Your EMG at that time would have shown signs if you had muscle weakness at that time. As far as you having foot drop, what you describe is not foot drop. First of all it is not painful and foot drop would show as you dragging your foot along as you walk. If you can still walk on your heels or toes you clearly do not have foot drop.I have been through all these worries and I think you should focus on the anxiety instead of constantly testing for muscle weakness. Once you get the anxiety under control everything else becomes easier (I know its easier said than done).

 

[Resilientgirl]

Thabk you very much for both. Another question is there such thing as early sign of clinical weakness. Does it happen all the sudden or it starts slowl. That's what I am afraid of whSt if this weakness is just starting. I heard Thst people with weakness can still do these self testing and pass exam untill later.

 

[michelangelozo]

The EMG would have shown any sort of muscle issue with your leg or foot (also foot drop is caused by muscles in your leg not your foot), so the EMG would have shown some abnormalities.Weakness in ALS is not subtle

 

[TwitchyAz]

tired - i think you need to stop looking into ALS as a possiblity...its simply not your case. what were the details on your herniated disc? did it say how large, which side, if it was centrally or laterally herniated? was the disc protruding, extruded or sequestered? the weakness and odd feeling you are describing is very much a sign of a disc issue especially if you say L5. I would consult a spine doc to get some guidance on treatment now that you are seeing some symptoms in your feet.

 

[IamInsanetwitch]

My near said that ALS would have taken hold of my body long before the symptoms manifested and thus the emg would have definitely shown the disease. He said it is the definitive gold standard for testing the disease.

 

[Resilientgirl]

Thank you. Which part of the emg is used to determine the disease needle or electric.

 

[IamInsanetwitch]

My neuro did the nerve conduction and the emg on me. He said the emg was the be all end all of the testing. The nerve conduction tests nerve reactions. He stuck the needle in several places throughout my body.