Foot drop help

Hello I’ve had RRMS since 2013 and otherwise ok’ish apart from things like optic neuritis/ numbness/ weakness. Over the last year I suddenly have lost most of my ability to walk which is very upsetting as I have two kids under 5 and means I can’t even do simple things like the nursery drop off or take them to places like I did before. I am reliant on a few aids that I use everyday but so sad that I have to rely on them solely to walk. I do physio everyday and under the care of an amazing physio but don’t think it’s helping much atp.Didn’t think I’d experience not being able to walk until much older.
What are you experiences of foot-drop? does it ever ‘go away’ or am I stuck with it now :frowning:

Hi taz. To be honest I’ve never been totally sure what foot drop is - dragging of the foot? I started having problems walking maybe 10 years after diagnosis and sorry to say this those problems haven’t gone away but have got worse. My problem is that after walking for a while my right leg just gives up - I guess that the relevant area of my brain and nerves get too tired and it’s a real tiring effort to move my right leg.

I guess you have spoken with your MS nurse about your walking? Have you explored Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) devices? I think a few people on this Forum use them and might well reply to your post.

Also, and I know little about these things , have you looked at the Motability Scheme and cars for disabled drivers?

I can’t walk for much more than 10 minutes and have bought myself a small folding mobility scooter. In fact two folding scooters which , once I had got over the shock of having to use a scooter, I actually enjoy using . Easily folded up and put into the car, small enough to buzz around shops , take into cafes, restaurants etc and, as today, take me right up to the vaccinator’s table for my shingles vaccination

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There’s a lot that they can do for foot-drop, get in touch with your MS nurse and get an urgent referral.

At its simplest they can do a splint type thing which very simply is a piece of hard plastic in an L shape that straps to the back of your calf and goes underneath your foot so that when you walk your toes automatically lift up. You have to walk slightly differently but it is actually a lot more comfortable than it sounds! There are also fes Systems that will be worn via a cuff just below the knee and as you lift your heel it fires an electrical pulse to the nerve that lifts your toes up. They’re really good. They made a massive difference for me. There’s probably all sorts of different types out there, speaking to a specialist is for the best because they can do a proper assessment to determine which sort is the most appropriate.

It’s really weird to describe what it is, it’s one of those things that your body does so automatically that you don’t notice it happening. If you can picture when you’re walking, the leg that’s behind you that needs to come forward when you walk, as your foot swings underneath to come forward the toes should automatically lift up a little bit as the heel comes from beneath you to the front but in foot-drop the toes don’t lift up so it almost feels like your toes are clipping a little bump on the floor surface. Long before I was diagnosed with MS I used to joke with people that I never fell downstairs only up them, and I think that was Little flickers of foot-drop. I only noticed it starting to affect me when I had problems running and would be catching the front of my trainer on the road and yet I couldn’t see any problems with the surface of the road that would cause it.

You don’t provide details of the aids you are using, so apologies if you know this stuff already.
The best solution to drop foot I have found is the ingenious FES, which can help build muscle strength if used regularly.
Your GP can refer you for assessment, to see if it suits you.
In my case drop foot hasn’t got any better over the years, but keep doing the physio, as might prevent the problem getting worse.

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) | MS Trust

I’m wondering what kind o disease-modifying drug you’re on. If the one you’re on isn’t doing the trick, or not doing the trick any more, it might be time to upgrade to a stronger one.

I hope that this relapse (assuming that’s what it is) recedes and you get some function back, but in my book the best way to deal with relapses is to avoid having them in the first place, and that means a DMD that is up to the task of keeping you as well as you can be.

My main regret in my 25 years of MS was not switching up to a more effective DMD fast enough; that’s what makes me so keen to urge others not to make the same mistake.

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Hi Alison I have been on Tysabiri for the last 3 years but JCV+ so PML risk and they are trying to switch me over to Kesimpta which I feel might not work for me as well as Tysabiri has been.Apparently I’m not having a replapse and this is something that just happens which I find hard to believe (all mris show no new lesions). What treatment are you on atm?

Thanks for your response. I use a Boxia splint and Swedish AFO also have a walking stick but I can’t get used to the idea of using it which will take some time to build up I hope. Have trialled FES with my physio but she said I looked uncomfortable using it so gave me the Swedish AFO instead which I alternate.

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My history is Avonex for the first 10 years and Tysabri for the subsequent 15 or so. Most of my permanent disability was acquired in the last 2/3 years on Avonex.

I am sorry that they’re wanting you off Tysabri. It is good that other good treatments are available, but it’s always going to be a sickener when you have to switch from something that’s working well.

Many thanks. I’m aware of my ankle sometimes being rather rigid but so far no foot drop. I do make a point of stretching/ flexing my ankle each morning. Fingers crossed

Hiya taz

I’ve had foot drop in August last year I kept tripping over my toes and made me very unbalanced. I was referred to the physio team part of the integrated neurology team in the community.
I was given some exercises to try, and she ordered a brace for me, which comes in 2 parts, one goes around your ankle the other around your foot they clip together to keep your foot at a 45 degree angle, then she brought another section that fits into your shoes and clips onto the ankle strap. I found I had lost all flexibility in my ankle whether it was flexing your ankle upwards, or downwards it just didn’t happen. I now have slight improvement, but I still wear the brace and use a stick as it tires easily.
I don’t know if you have the same set up in your area, but I’ve now got an open referral for the course. I’m currently doing a 6 week physio course and they’ll check with me every 6 months once completed.

I’ve suffered from foot drop for many years. Sadly, I’m now in a wheelchair, so no more foot drop problems. The product which helped me tremendously for about 15 years was a SAFO (silicone ankle foot orthosis). It’s a lightweight but very strong brace. Very simple to put on. Splash some talc on your foot, slip on the SAFO, fasten the three Velcro straps and that is you set for the whole day. I hope you find a solution that works well for you.