What Does Immobility In The Right Foot Indicate?

Posted on Thu, 31 Aug 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 31 Aug 2017 Answered on

Wed, 27 Sep 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : i find as of yesterday i seem to be dragging my right foot.

Answered by Dr. Shuba hariprasad (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Request for clarifications please

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today.

Would you clarify a few things for me, please?
*what is your height and weight?
*do you smoke or consume alcohol?
*do you have any other medical issues or take any medications? Diabetes or any cardiovascular issues for instance?
*any family history or stroke, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension or high cholesterol?
*do you mean to say that you can't lift your right foot at all? How long have you had this symptom?
*do you have sensations on your right foot? Any numbness or change in colour?any pain or pressure?
*are you able to flex your knee and hip? Do the slippers come off your foot while you walk?
*how about your left foot?
*did you have any recent injuries to your back?

Based on your symptoms, I would like to rule out a stroke and spinal disc disease.
I recommend :
-a physician consult and neurological opinion.
-detailed neurological exam
-blood tests (complete blood count, kidney and liver function tests, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, blood glucose panel, lipid profile, Thyroid hormone levels)
-MRI of the brain and spine
-electrocardiogram and echocardiogram.

Based on these results and clinical findings, we can have a diagnosis.
Please seek medical help as soon as possible to prevent worsening of symptoms.

Kindly get back to me with the above requested clarification so that I may help you better.
Hopw this helps and you recover soon. Wish you good health.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Shuba hariprasad (7 hours later)

I am 5feet 2ins tall and weigh 125 pounds
I neither smoke or drink alcohol
I suffer from heart failure and take lasortan metoprolol
I also have hypertension
afamily history of hypertension
I sensations in the foof i can walk but instead of putting it down in the usual way i tend to fling it.the symptoms began 2 days ago
I can flex both knees and hips.
not so far slippersdont come off when i walk
the left foot has no issues
no injuries to my back

Answered by Dr. Shuba hariprasad (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
To check for cause of foot drop

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow up and clarifications.

It sounds like you have a foot drop. This is commonly due to injury or compression to the peroneal nerve that innervates the foot.
Compression of the nerve at the spine level, due to spondylosis & disc disease can also cause this.

*do you sit cross-legged for a long time? Any other constant pressure of friction on the outer part of your right knee?
*do you have any swelling or arthritis problem in your right knee? Any injury?
*you still can feel the sensations but cannot lift your foot, am I right?
*do you have any urinary incontinence or numbness) pain on your thighs?
*by heart failure- do you mean congestive heart failure? How long have you had this?

I recommend :
-an orthopedic consult
-x-rays of the Knee to check for joint problems
-MRI spine to look for spinal stenosis or herniated discs
-electromyography to check for the type of nerve palsy.
-vitamin b12 levels (in blood)

The cause needs to evaluated as soon as possible to treat accordingly.
You may not need all the investigations/tests. This depends on the clinical findings. So please see an orthopedic doctor and get a neurologist opinion at the earliest.

Hope I've helped. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng