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What Causes Foot Drop And Hand Tremors Post A Laminectomy And Spinal Fusion?
I have had foot and ankle reconstruction with a tendon transfer followed by a laminectomy L-5 was shattered and a spinal fusion. Now, I m experiencing occasional foot drop with difficulty with left dorsal flex, shuffling, tripping, and right hand tremors. Before I realize it, I ve dropped at least two glass items a day before 3 pm and broken them. I m literally losing my grip. I still have so-called periformis syndrome and my back surgery did not turn out as well as I had hoped. Could you please recommend any tests to be run? Thank you.
posted on
Fri, 4 Nov 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 13 Mar 2019
Answered on
Thu, 14 Mar 2019
Last reviewed on
Hello,
Sorry to hear that the surgery didn't turn out well and thus the symptoms of foot drop.
Usually, spinal surgery is nowadays at its best of success rate but very few times the body doesn't cooperate well and so the symptoms arise.
The first test I will advice is to take the MRI or the CT Scan of the lumbar spine.
As there might be a inflammation of the soft tissues there which is leading to food drop, tingling, numbness, piriformis muscle spasm, etc.
It happens when the nerve gets irritated and thus the symptoms. The hand tremors aren't associated with this but still, we need to wait and see if the spinal cord inflammation or dysfunction comes down.
Also, post-surgery you will have muscle weakness which will not be allowing the spinal column to be stabilized.
I will advice you to undergo physiotherapy treatment which will help with - TENS therapy, Ultrasound therapy and low intensity core stability.
As time passes by and no major symptoms arise then I think we are on a progressive road. We need to slowly move ahead and increase the exercise for core and also the lower limbs.
Usually, in my clinical practice very few are having lack of results post surgery and even though they have in few, they respond well to physiotherapy.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Jay Indravadan Patel, Physical Therapist or Physiotherapist
Sorry to hear that the surgery didn't turn out well and thus the symptoms of foot drop.
Usually, spinal surgery is nowadays at its best of success rate but very few times the body doesn't cooperate well and so the symptoms arise.
The first test I will advice is to take the MRI or the CT Scan of the lumbar spine.
As there might be a inflammation of the soft tissues there which is leading to food drop, tingling, numbness, piriformis muscle spasm, etc.
It happens when the nerve gets irritated and thus the symptoms. The hand tremors aren't associated with this but still, we need to wait and see if the spinal cord inflammation or dysfunction comes down.
Also, post-surgery you will have muscle weakness which will not be allowing the spinal column to be stabilized.
I will advice you to undergo physiotherapy treatment which will help with - TENS therapy, Ultrasound therapy and low intensity core stability.
As time passes by and no major symptoms arise then I think we are on a progressive road. We need to slowly move ahead and increase the exercise for core and also the lower limbs.
Usually, in my clinical practice very few are having lack of results post surgery and even though they have in few, they respond well to physiotherapy.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Jay Indravadan Patel, Physical Therapist or Physiotherapist
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