Re: Big toe question

[Guest guest]

Pam,

I don't have drop foot mainly because I had surgery to correct the

problems early in life. I had a big toe turning in, also I walked

rolling towards the left - the left food rolled out to the left, the

right foot rolled in, also towards the left. Tendon surgery was what I

had.

~ Gretchen

[Guest guest]

Gretchen,

Are you saying that tendon surgery improves foot drop? I didn't think there was

any surgery for foot drop. Thank you so much for being so helpful, just having

this group to turn to has really improved my

outlook.

Pam

[Guest guest]

Hi Pam,

Just to clarify: my tendon surgery was done when I was a child - I did

not have footdrop then, nor do I now. It is ONLY my experience I was

sharing: as for an actual " medical opinion " on whether or not tendon

surgery improves footdrop, you'd have to ask MDs.

All I know is that my tendon surgery did in fact correct my

foot 'rolling' and almost 44 years later, I still do not

have 'footdrop'.

It is known that early intervention in surgery, bracing, and physical

therapy can in fact help stop deformities associated with CMT. (I

absolutely loathe that word 'deformities' and I am sorry I have to use

it, but that is what is on top of my tongue at the moment.)

~ Gretchen

[Guest guest]

Hi Pam,

I've got both of what you're saying. My ankles are bad and all my toes are,

especially my big one. I don't know if you've ever seen the movie... " Kill

Bill " , but in one scene she had been in a coma for some time and wanted to make

her toes move. She sat there and said, MOVE....well, in the morning, I look at

my feet and ask my toes to move to no avail. I can't walk at all unless I put

some sneakers on. If someone asked me, for the life of me, , " Do you have

socks on, are you barefoot, or do you have sneakers on...I wouldn't know for the

life of me.

One more thing that goes along with CMT. I've got pain and numbness. I could

step on a tiny pea and go through the ceiling and at the same time, step on a

huge piece of glass (which I've done and bleed all over the house without

knowing it), that's why we've got to be careful. Take care and write me at home

if you'd like.

[Guest guest]

HI Pam and Grtechen,

WOW...Interesting this news.

I never thought we could have that done either. I remember many years

ago when I saw a professor here in London at Wetminster Hospital. He told me

that if he would extend my achiles tendon I would never

be able to walk again. I was very concerned about my foot drop at

that time (1980) and this is news for me...to improve foot drop?

I wonder if I am talking the same thing here? or Peharps the Professor said that

to me because of my double joints? Don't know...

I really would love to improve my foot drop...it would be so wonderful!!!

Joana in London

[Guest guest]

My surgery at age 12 was called a triple arthodesis of both ankles. This was

done in the 60s so I believe it probably has been improved. I didn't need AFOs

until I was 38 and then 5 yrs. later (guessing) I added forearm crutches as

knees gave out and I was falling and breaking bones in toes and feet and then

doctors put me in a scooter. I've been in a scooter now for 12-13 yrs.

Rob - I had a demo of a Permobil Chairman HD and when I get more strength to

report here about it, I post. It was a bust.

Donna B. in Texas

[Guest guest]

Pam: I've broken my big toe on my right foot so many times it is stiff with

arthretsis and I could have surgery but I prefer it stiff...ha! It doesn't hurt

or anything, just can't bend. Now if I should fall it would break...again.

p_ortwein <p_ortwein@...> wrote: I have a very weak big toe on

my left foot. My ankles are bad too but

the toe thing is what is really bad. I lift up my foot and the toe just

falls, I walk on the outside of my foot when I have socks on just so I

can keep my toe up. If I took a normal step with my left foot as I do

with my right I would probably break my toe.My toe is numb and I could

pinch it and hardly feel it. I tape my big toe to my second and third

toe so I can walk in socks for a little bit. I

Is this how most people's foot drop started, with one toe? I am ready to chop it

off. The other thing, and I guess I should count my blessings, but I have no

pain just numbness.

Pam

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Joana,

The tendon surgery I had did NOT involved the Achilles tendon.

~ Gretchen

[Guest guest]

Hi Gretchen.

I supposed we had different problems. My Achilles tendon is short , that

is why I have foot drop, and I had no idea that a surgery could help

foot drop!

Joana in London

[Guest guest]

I have the same problem with the big toe. Mine is on my right foot, and I have

broken it numerous times, just because I can no longer 'muscle' it up to lift

it. I was told by my doc that the atrophy is noticeable in one are before it is

noticed in other areas of the specific limb. I find myself lifting my right leg

higher than my left when walking around the house (I rarely wear shoes inside).

What is odd for me, is that I didn't have the 'toe drop' problem until I broke

it the first time. I think that during the healing process, the muscle just

decided to give up the ghost, lol... ,_._,___

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