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Foot Drop While Running?

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  • #16
    Hi all, I'm a brand new member. I've been having similar problems with my left foot/leg while jogging, and I can't even tell you what a relief it is to read that others have the same problem. I've always felt that my symptoms are intensely 'personal' -- it's hard to describe what's happening, and I've always imagined that no one else really gets what I'm going through.

    Like some of the other posters, I am mostly asymptomatic except when I run. Everything's fine when I start out, but about 5 minutes in, my foot begins to feel heavy. 15 minutes in, my foot drop starts and I have to concentrate on my foot placement to make sure I don't stumble. 20 minutes in, my left quad feels very heavy, my ankle gets kind of floppy, the whole leg feels wooden, and I just walk the rest of the way.
    This started six years ago -- it only slightly affected my gait while running -- and slowly over the years has been worsening so that now I run only occasionally, and it's a sad and frustrating experience when I do. Needless to say, running has been 'my happy place' and I'd like to get back to it.

    I get regular massage. I haven't worked with a PT because of the out-of-pocket costs, but maybe I just need to bite the bullet. I've just investigated stretches that strengthen the tibialis anterior, so I'll start those. I am interested in the Toe Off by Allard that someone mentioned. I browsed the Toe Off website but many of the links aren't functional so there's not a whole lot of info to be had. Has anyone actually *jogged* with a Toe Off and does it work out ok?

    Thanks, everyone. Keep on keeping on, as they say.

    Florence

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    • #17
      Hi Im Francois
      Excuse me to interfere in your discussion :-)
      I have a complete foot drop on left foot since 2001 due to a snowmobile accident.

      We designed this new foot drop brace specially for active poeples in search comfort during intense and long endurance activity.
      I ran several full marathons with this external drop foot brace

      It will allow you to walk, run hike as far as you want without any risk of rubbing injuries due to the brace. You can see it in action on Youtube...

      Website: www.turbomedorthotics.com
      Video: http://youtu.be/KziRDfRrfGc

      I can assure you that the comfort of our new external brace have nothing in common with any conventional internal brace.

      Hope it will help everybody afflicted by drop foot to recover their full level of activity.
      Don't give up!! :-)

      Regards
      François

      Last edited by Turbomed_Orthotics; 05-25-2014, 08:32 PM.

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      • #18
        François, I usually raise an eyebrow when someone posts something a bit salesey without my permission, but it looks like a solid product that is much needed. I'll let it slide, but next time write me first. Nice to meet you.
        Dave Bexfield
        ActiveMSers

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        • #19
          Foot drag when running

          This started for me 10 years ago so i stopped running. I went from running 6 to 7 miles in an hour to not being able to run more than a minute due to tripping over my toes. I saw knee/foot specialists. Then I saw some threads on foot drop. This doesn't usually happen when I walk but it's starting to.. My husband says when I run (he watches from behind) it looks like that leg is dead and I'm just kicking it out. I feel it though. Anyway, EMG on my right leg (bad leg) was abnormal, left normal. So far lower lumbar and neck and brain mri normal (except for abnormal lymph nodes?) so maybe peroneal nerve in knee s/b looked at? I have a slipping kneecap in the bad leg and it has gone out several times.. MRI denied by insurance in my knee though. Any recommendations now? What else could it be? I feel as though my body is betraying me because it seems to be getting worse and then last time i did my run/walk intervals i was doing all winter long I seriously got hip bursitis on my good side.. I'm only 44. This is because the left side is doing all the work I believe. I don't know what to do anymore. But now the walking is getting weird. I'm aware of the bad leg and kick out the foot and sometimes now trip over that toe. I'm going to lose it. Anyone have any recommendations? I go back to the neurologist in August.. first time she can see me again.

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          • #20
            Good luck with getting some answers, Nicolle. It could be any number of things and I'm sorry you have to wait until August. Keep us posted if you can. Thanks.
            Dave Bexfield
            ActiveMSers

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            • #21
              I've recently gone from my version of running in May to Nordic Walking. I'd fallen 21 times in May and by the time I figured that out, just accepted and wasn't paying attention, until June and finally got with a Physical Therapist who is certified to work with MS.

              I've lost strength in my right leg, balance, coordination, etc. My PT suggested going out with trekking poles as a measure to keep me active but also help with preventing falls. So far so good. By no means am I as fast as I was when I was running - but I haven't been that fast since before I was diagnosed.

              Just throwing out another option. My current goal is trying to see if I can increase my base line and see what happens. Luck to everyone & thank you Dave for the useful review on Trekking Poles.

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              • #22
                Doing the bump up, as foot drop is an ongoing, stubborn issue that prevents folks from running. There are answers....
                Dave Bexfield
                ActiveMSers

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                • #23
                  Similar to other in this thread, I typically have no issues walking other than the occasional dragging toe when walking, more often when going up stairs (I always hold rail and need to be more mindful - no running up the stairs!).

                  I tried to get a running routine going but found my left leg would feel like it was going to drop/drag, and I would feel like my foot was slapping down - definitely different than my right. I was doing a couch-5k program (there's a great app for that!) but struggled to get past more than 2.5min of continues running before I would get the discombobulated feeling, tense up, then my breathing and heart rate would blow up. The walk intervals I would recover somewhat and go again.

                  Then I discovered the Galloway Method of running where you always do intervals - the goal is not to run/jog a continuous 5k, rather runner always does a walk/run interval. Some are even using the Galloway method for marathons - not as a training or learn to run, but as their plan. For those that don't want to give up running I highly suggest looking into this and taking pressure off that you "have to" run the entirety. I found a 1.5min run with 30-60second intervals worked well for me.

                  Unfortunately for me the running was also triggering a worsening of calf spasticity - major middle of the night cramp and difficulty walking when I first got up in morning - so I have abandoned it for now, but I miss it as it is easy to just throw on the runner and head out the door to go run in the local park. I don't miss treadmill running though, and the walk run intervals are tough to do on the treadmill - greatest risk of fall was in the transition/speed up/down of the belt..... I might do some again in spring again as its a great way to get outdoors and get the cardio in shape. Or powerwalking...
                  Callenge life before life challenges you - from inside collar of my "Bike Off More Than You Chew" bike jersey

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