Archive for October 22nd, 2009
When foot and ankle weakness accompanies lower back pain, a neurosurgical opinion should be promptly sought. The muscles responsible for picking up the foot and ankle are in the front of the leg. These muscles are supplied by the peroneal nerve and the main nerve root is the L5 nerve root. Therefore, in injuries to the L5 nerve root, these muscles will be weak and there may be a foot or toe drag due to weakness or a complete foot drop.
To compound this problem further, many people cross their knees while sitting, putting pressure on the peroneal nerve. In this situation, there will be a double crush on the peroneal nerve. This is a combination of injury at the L5 nerve root level as well as at the peroneal nerve level. This will impede the recovery of the nerve so that a foot drop brace may be required.