NEUROPATHY-LOWER LIMB (FOOT DROP)

SUMMARY

1. L5 radiculopathy: affects inversion & eversion, radiculopathies usually assoc. with back pain, normal NCS, neuropathic pattern on EMG

2. Common peroneal (dorsiflexion & eversion of the foot; mnemonic: PED DROPS): eversion affected, EMG changes confined below knee, compression at fibular neck e.g. squatting/anaesthesia

3. Sciatic nerve (peroneal component; the other is the tibial n.): generally restricted to post-hip surgery & dislocation, EMG abnormal above the knee

4. Meralgia parasthetica: painful numbness of the lateral cutaneous n. of thigh

5. Lumbosacral plexopathy (diabetic amyotrophy): pain, quads wasting, patchy EMG changes in the iliopsoas, hip, adductors, quads

6. Lumbar canal stenosis: leads to neurogenic claudication

7. Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT): bilateral foot-drop

Reference(s)

Wilkinson, I., Furmedge, D. and Sinharay, R. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Get it on Amazon.
Feather, A., Randall, D. and Waterhouse, M. (2020). Kumar And Clark’s Clinical Medicine. 10th ed. S.L.: Elsevier Health Sciences. Get it on Amazon.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].