HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Loss Of Sensation In Legs, Lose The Use Of Legs, Nerve Blockage. Doing Water Exercises. Will I Make Progress?

I HAVE VERY LITTLE FEELING IN MY ANKLES. I LOST THE USE OF MY LEGS IN SEPTEMBER 2012. THEY FOUND I HAD A NERVE BLOCKAGE OF APPROX. 1 1/2 INCHES IN LENTH AT NUMBER 10 IN MY SPINAL COLUMN, THEY OPERATED IN NOVEMBER 2012 AND CHIPPED AWAY THE BONE TO OPEN THE AREA FOR THE NERVES. I STILL CAN NOT WALK BUT HAVE MADE GOOD PROGRESS. I STILL GO THE REHAB AND WAtER EXERCISES. THE THERAPIST AT REHAB TOLD ME RECENTLY THAT BECAUSE NOT ALL THE FEELING IN MY ANKLES HAVE NOT RETURNED THAT I WOULD PROBABLY NOT WALK AGAIN. WHAT WOULD THINK OF THAT. COULD YOU PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR IDEAS ON THE SUBJECT, THANK YOU
WILLIAM GOGGIN
Mon, 26 Aug 2013
Report Abuse
Spine Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi Mr Goggin
Thank you for your question.

From the situation that you have described it seems that you had decompression in the thoracic spine (midback) at T10. As you are having some recovery of strength in legs it is a good sign. Recovery of strength usually proceeds upto a year after the surgery and sometimes even longer. Lack of sensation in your ankle will mean an impaired feedback to brain that is needed for normal walking. However this does not necessarily mean you would not walk again. This may not walk normal but with therapy , walker and different kinds of braces you may become ambulatory if the strength in your leg muscles reaches particular level even if it is not fully normal. Also it would be good to discuss with a surgeon who operated on you about how much recovery is expected as different pathologies have different prognosis.

I wish you the best recovery.

Niranjan Kavadi
Spine surgeon
I find this answer helpful
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
Loss Of Sensation In Legs, Lose The Use Of Legs, Nerve Blockage. Doing Water Exercises. Will I Make Progress?

Hi Mr Goggin Thank you for your question. From the situation that you have described it seems that you had decompression in the thoracic spine (midback) at T10. As you are having some recovery of strength in legs it is a good sign. Recovery of strength usually proceeds upto a year after the surgery and sometimes even longer. Lack of sensation in your ankle will mean an impaired feedback to brain that is needed for normal walking. However this does not necessarily mean you would not walk again. This may not walk normal but with therapy , walker and different kinds of braces you may become ambulatory if the strength in your leg muscles reaches particular level even if it is not fully normal. Also it would be good to discuss with a surgeon who operated on you about how much recovery is expected as different pathologies have different prognosis. I wish you the best recovery. Niranjan Kavadi Spine surgeon