Re: Gait problems. <fwd> A General Question

[Guest guest]

Just wondering, to what extent does TCS involve itself in foot pain?

Specifically, tendon pain/shortness problems. I ask because I had my

arch reconstructed on my right foot and a plantar fascia release(it

is fine now but I had many pain and walking difficulties with it

before), but I have never had any pain/tendon issue on my left foot

until recently. Now I get these clicking noises there when I move my

heel or ankle or put my foot down on the floor.

I was talking to my neurosurgeon about it, and he said that it could

not be related to TCS. When he said that I felt like I was really

dealing with a quake, becuase foot problems had always accompanied

newfound tcs problems for me(in my case).

> Thanks for your info Nina.

>

> My son was born with TC and had first release surgery at 7 wks the

another at 5 yrs. Both surgeries went very well but we did have

issues with bladder and bowel as to be expected. However, last year,

my sons annual urology tests showed great readings and the uro dr

suggested biofeedback to re-train the bladder muscles. It was a

success!! My son is still on a timed voiding schedule however

recently he has been able to feel when he needs to go.

>

> The issue with the feet started after a fall at school back in

September. He didn't feel the pain that you normally would with a

break but had alot of swelling. The xray showed two broken bones -

4th and 5th metatarsals. After the bone healed, his foot developed a

huge ulcer on the bottom of his foot directly on the underside of the

same area of the break. Some drs thought the cast was removed too

soon, others said it was due to decreased sensation from SB. The

ortho dr said no weight bearing on that foot at all to allow the

ulcer to heal. Two months later when the dr ok'd weight bearing, his

leg was so weak that he couldn't put weight on it. He has been going

to PT for a month and we have seen much improvement however, he still

has to walk with a walker. The PT said all of this was to be

expected when someone hasn't used their leg muscles for some time.

I, myself, have never had any broken bones so I was totally unaware

of this.

>

> Since his foot has been through so much, the ortho dr. has

mentioned if the MRI is negative the next step may be heel cord

lengthening surgery. So all info is very much appreciated.

>

> Thanks again!

>

> (Kasha)

>

> In a message dated 7/16/2004 11:09:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

Nina Bunton <Nina.Bunton@b...> writes:

>

> >Dear Kasha (I don't know if that is your propoer name!)

> >

> >My left foot first started getting deformed when I was 2 and

gradually

> >as the Achilles tendon shortened (due to the TC), the foot grew

into a

> >blocked shape, and I could not put my heel on the floor. This went

on

> >for 8 years, and the OP surgeon would not operate till I had

nearly

> >stopped growing (otherwise it could happen again)

> >

> >Then just as I changed schools age 11, I had the left foot done,

and

> >the following year, the right foot (almost matching scars as

well!!),

> >as well as toe releases on both sides. What they did (in 1977) is

make

> >an incision on the inside of the leg, where the Achilles tendon

joins

> >the ankle bone, and split it diagonally lengthways, and then

stitch it

> >back together again so that it was lengthened. Both summers (1977

and

> >1978) I had big plaster casts on the lower legs (one each year),

and in

> >the UK those years were the hottest of the 20th Century - not very

> >comfortable!!

> >

> >I was given physiotherapy to do, but being a silly little kid (not

> >realising its value) I didn't do the exercises as much as I should

and

> >ended up with really thick tendons, both sides. However, the R one

is

> >relatively flexible and I can bend the ankle right down to about

45

> >degrees. The L side, with the more deformed foot anyway, does not

bend

> >at all, and if I try (all these years later), still hurts if I try

to

> >do this.

> >

> >Remember that any surgery will injure the body in some way, and so

your

> >little man shouldn't feel bad that he can't run as he used to. If

he

> >takes it easy after the tendon surgery, he should get back his

> >function. That is, of course, if the spinal cord is not affecting

his

> >feet, but that is another story that I don't know about in your

case

> >

> >Does this help? Hope so. Email me privately or on the list if you

want

> >to

> >

> >Regards

> >

> >Nina

> >

> >--- Begin Forwarded Message ---

> >

> >Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 09:23:48 -0400

> >From: kasha545@a...

> >Subject: Re: Gait problems. <fwd>

> >Sender: kasha545@a...

> >To: tetheredspinalcord

> >Reply-To: tetheredspinalcord

> >Message-ID: <29415CF8.7CC2CF82.006DB292@a...>

> >

> >

> >Hi Nina,

> >

> >Can you give me some info on the heel cord lengthening surgery

that you

> >mentioned.  My sons orthopedic surgeon has mentioned my son may

have to

> >have this surgery.  (We go for an MRI next week to see if any of

the

> >foot issues might be associated with a retether.)

> >

> >The way the dr. talked this was a pretty routine surgery and he

would

> >be in a cast for a few weeks.  Did you have surgery on both legs

at the

> >same time?  Any info you can give would be very much

appreciated.  I am

> >completely in the dark and my son is so confused on why he can't

run

> >and walk like he did several months ago.  I'm praying that it is

> >because he was off of his foot for so long and not retethered.  

> >

> >

> >In a message dated 7/16/2004 3:39:52 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

Nina

> >Bunton <Nina.Bunton@b...> writes:

> >

> >>On the contrary, before I had both my achilles tendons lengthened

age

> >>11 and 12, I could not lower my heels to the floor. After the ops

I

> >>could.

> >>

> >>Also, now, if I am very tired or the pain is my feet is

particularly

> >>bad, I tend to toe-walk, or walk on the outsides of my feet.

Gives me a

> >>very odd gait!!!

> >>

> >>Nina

> >>Bristol, UK

> >>

> >>--- Begin Forwarded Message ---

> >>

> >>Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 16:25:38 -0500

> >>From: Brande <mymocha@c...>

> >>Subject: Re: Gait problems.

> >>Sender: Brande <mymocha@c...>

> >>To: tetheredspinalcord

> >>Reply-To: tetheredspinalcord

> >>Message-ID: <0c3f01c46ab2$47233870$6501a8c0@Brande>

> >>

> >>

> >>I don't think it is either, generally speaking, that is.

> >>

> >>Maybe it is because he was just off of it for soo long.

> >>

> >>Me

> >>Nebraska, USA

> >>mymocha@c...

> >>

> >>son can't put his heel down much less bear weight on this

foot.  Is

> >this

> >>common with a broken bone or is this a complication from spina

bifida?

> >>

> >>

> >>

> >>

> >>

> >>Not Medical Advice. We Are Not Doctors.

> >>Need help with the list? Email

> >kathy@t...,michelle@t..., rick@t...

> >                           

> >>

[Guest guest]

Dear

TCS is such a weird beast - it gives us so much pain in different

places I find it hard to separate out all the different types of pain.

However: when my cord was deteriorating, I found I had excruciating

pins and needles in my feet, mostly due to the nerve roots (leading

from the lumbar and sacral spine) being irritated. Now, post-op 3

years, the pain I feel most in my feet is still that AND structural

pain. By that I mean, pressure from the deformities, stiffness and

swelling, tendons tightening, shoe pressure.

So, as the nerves at the end of the spinal cord (which is where most

tetherings are) are affected by the tethering and connect to the

peripheral nerves in your feet, I don't see how someone can say that

pain on your feet is not somehow connected to the TCS

Only my two pee'orth, but I hope it helps

Nina

Quoting davidbrian232000 :

> Just wondering, to what extent does TCS involve itself in foot pain?

>

> Specifically, tendon pain/shortness problems. I ask because I had my

>

> arch reconstructed on my right foot and a plantar fascia release(it

> is fine now but I had many pain and walking difficulties with it

> before), but I have never had any pain/tendon issue on my left foot

> until recently. Now I get these clicking noises there when I move my

>

> heel or ankle or put my foot down on the floor.

>

> I was talking to my neurosurgeon about it, and he said that it could

>

> not be related to TCS. When he said that I felt like I was really

> dealing with a quake, becuase foot problems had always accompanied

> newfound tcs problems for me(in my case).

>

>

> > Thanks for your info Nina.

> >

> > My son was born with TC and had first release surgery at 7 wks the

>

> another at 5 yrs. Both surgeries went very well but we did have

> issues with bladder and bowel as to be expected. However, last year,

>

> my sons annual urology tests showed great readings and the uro dr

> suggested biofeedback to re-train the bladder muscles. It was a

> success!! My son is still on a timed voiding schedule however

> recently he has been able to feel when he needs to go.

> >

> > The issue with the feet started after a fall at school back in

> September. He didn't feel the pain that you normally would with a

> break but had alot of swelling. The xray showed two broken bones -

> 4th and 5th metatarsals. After the bone healed, his foot developed a

>

> huge ulcer on the bottom of his foot directly on the underside of the

>

> same area of the break. Some drs thought the cast was removed too

> soon, others said it was due to decreased sensation from SB. The

> ortho dr said no weight bearing on that foot at all to allow the

> ulcer to heal. Two months later when the dr ok'd weight bearing, his

>

> leg was so weak that he couldn't put weight on it. He has been going

>

> to PT for a month and we have seen much improvement however, he still

>

> has to walk with a walker. The PT said all of this was to be

> expected when someone hasn't used their leg muscles for some time.

> I, myself, have never had any broken bones so I was totally unaware

> of this.

> >

> > Since his foot has been through so much, the ortho dr. has

> mentioned if the MRI is negative the next step may be heel cord

> lengthening surgery. So all info is very much appreciated.

> >

> > Thanks again!

> >

> > (Kasha)

> >

> > In a message dated 7/16/2004 11:09:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

> Nina Bunton <Nina.Bunton@b...> writes:

> >

> > >Dear Kasha (I don't know if that is your propoer name!)

> > >

> > >My left foot first started getting deformed when I was 2 and

> gradually

> > >as the Achilles tendon shortened (due to the TC), the foot grew

> into a

> > >blocked shape, and I could not put my heel on the floor. This went

>

> on

> > >for 8 years, and the OP surgeon would not operate till I had

> nearly

> > >stopped growing (otherwise it could happen again)

> > >

> > >Then just as I changed schools age 11, I had the left foot done,

> and

> > >the following year, the right foot (almost matching scars as

> well!!),

> > >as well as toe releases on both sides. What they did (in 1977) is

>

> make

> > >an incision on the inside of the leg, where the Achilles tendon

> joins

> > >the ankle bone, and split it diagonally lengthways, and then

> stitch it

> > >back together again so that it was lengthened. Both summers (1977

>

> and

> > >1978) I had big plaster casts on the lower legs (one each year),

> and in

> > >the UK those years were the hottest of the 20th Century - not very

>

> > >comfortable!!

> > >

> > >I was given physiotherapy to do, but being a silly little kid (not

>

> > >realising its value) I didn't do the exercises as much as I should

>

> and

> > >ended up with really thick tendons, both sides. However, the R one

>

> is

> > >relatively flexible and I can bend the ankle right down to about

> 45

> > >degrees. The L side, with the more deformed foot anyway, does not

>

> bend

> > >at all, and if I try (all these years later), still hurts if I try

>

> to

> > >do this.

> > >

> > >Remember that any surgery will injure the body in some way, and so

>

> your

> > >little man shouldn't feel bad that he can't run as he used to. If

>

> he

> > >takes it easy after the tendon surgery, he should get back his

> > >function. That is, of course, if the spinal cord is not affecting

>

> his

> > >feet, but that is another story that I don't know about in your

> case

> > >

> > >Does this help? Hope so. Email me privately or on the list if you

>

> want

> > >to

> > >

> > >Regards

> > >

> > >Nina

> > >

> > >--- Begin Forwarded Message ---

> > >

> > >Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 09:23:48 -0400

> > >From: kasha545@a...

> > >Subject: Re: Gait problems. <fwd>

> > >Sender: kasha545@a...

> > >To: tetheredspinalcord

> > >Reply-To: tetheredspinalcord

> > >Message-ID: <29415CF8.7CC2CF82.006DB292@a...>

> > >

> > >

> > >Hi Nina,

> > >

> > >Can you give me some info on the heel cord lengthening surgery

> that you

> > >mentioned.  My sons orthopedic surgeon has mentioned my son may

> have to

> > >have this surgery.  (We go for an MRI next week to see if any of

> the

> > >foot issues might be associated with a retether.)

> > >

> > >The way the dr. talked this was a pretty routine surgery and he

> would

> > >be in a cast for a few weeks.  Did you have surgery on both legs

> at the

> > >same time?  Any info you can give would be very much

> appreciated.  I am

> > >completely in the dark and my son is so confused on why he can't

> run

> > >and walk like he did several months ago.  I'm praying that it is

> > >because he was off of his foot for so long and not retethered.  

> > >

> > >

> > >In a message dated 7/16/2004 3:39:52 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

> Nina

> > >Bunton <Nina.Bunton@b...> writes:

> > >

> > >>On the contrary, before I had both my achilles tendons lengthened

>

> age

> > >>11 and 12, I could not lower my heels to the floor. After the ops

>

> I

> > >>could.

> > >>

> > >>Also, now, if I am very tired or the pain is my feet is

> particularly

> > >>bad, I tend to toe-walk, or walk on the outsides of my feet.

> Gives me a

> > >>very odd gait!!!

> > >>

> > >>Nina

> > >>Bristol, UK

> > >>

> > >>--- Begin Forwarded Message ---

> > >>

> > >>Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 16:25:38 -0500

> > >>From: Brande <mymocha@c...>

> > >>Subject: Re: Gait problems.

> > >>Sender: Brande <mymocha@c...>

> > >>To: tetheredspinalcord

> > >>Reply-To: tetheredspinalcord

> > >>Message-ID: <0c3f01c46ab2$47233870$6501a8c0@Brande>

> > >>

> > >>

> > >>I don't think it is either, generally speaking, that is.

> > >>

> > >>Maybe it is because he was just off of it for soo long.

> > >>

> > >>Me

> > >>Nebraska, USA

> > >>mymocha@c...

> > >>

> > >>son can't put his heel down much less bear weight on this

> foot.  Is

> > >this

> > >>common with a broken bone or is this a complication from spina

> bifida?

> > >>

> > >>

> > >>

> > >>

> > >>

> > >>Not Medical Advice. We Are Not Doctors.

> > >>Need help with the list? Email

> > >kathy@t...,michelle@t..., rick@t...

> > >                           

> > >>

[Guest guest]

You know, I wonder if this is caused by Spasticity, which is, or rather can

be caused by Tethered Cord. Sounds like

you may want to get a second Opinion.

Me

Nebraska, USA

mymocha@...

to what extent does TCS involve itself in foot pain?

Specifically, tendon pain/shortness problems. I ask because I had my

arch reconstructed on my right foot and a plantar fascia release(it

is fine now but I had many pain and walking difficulties with it

before), but I have never had any pain/tendon issue on my left foot

until recently. Now I get these clicking noises there when I move my

heel or ankle or put my foot down on the floor.

I was talking to my neurosurgeon about it, and he said that it could

not be related to TCS.

[Guest guest]

There's not enough adult TCers out here and many doctors have never

come across us. Only last Tuesday my PM doc kept talking about my

spina Bifida causing my pain. IT'S THE TETHER CAUSING THE PAIN! My GP

bows to my greater knowledge on the subject and only my newer NS

understands the condition. My old NS wouldn't even comment on the

details of surgery because I don't think he knew what to do!

I have some spasticity and have had all my life but now my right leg

is deteriorating and I'm fed up with my toes hurting because they're

so curled and tight. I thought the amitriptyline was helping with

that but it's not and I'm not taking yet another med!!!!

Sorry, I'm ranting but it's one of those days when somebody (in real

land) had made me feel like my pain isn't as bad as others AND IT IS!

Thanks everyone for my rant. I know you'll understand.

x

Carey

Hove UK

> You know, I wonder if this is caused by Spasticity, which is, or

rather can

> be caused by Tethered Cord. Sounds like

> you may want to get a second Opinion.

>

> Me

> Nebraska, USA

> mymocha@c...

>

> to what extent does TCS involve itself in foot pain?

> Specifically, tendon pain/shortness problems. I ask because I had

my

> arch reconstructed on my right foot and a plantar fascia release(it

> is fine now but I had many pain and walking difficulties with it

> before), but I have never had any pain/tendon issue on my left foot

> until recently. Now I get these clicking noises there when I move

my

> heel or ankle or put my foot down on the floor.

>

> I was talking to my neurosurgeon about it, and he said that it could

> not be related to TCS.