Anyone have "foot drop" from losing weight rapidly?

[Shrinkingmom 218]

I am 1 year out tomorrow and for the last few weeks I have had burning pain in my left ankle area and some numbness. The last week I have noticed that after I walk a while, my foot starts to slap the ground and I can't control it very well. It feels like the foot is very weak. I am a nurse so I know this is called "foot drop" and in doing research I have found that this can happen after weight loss surgery due to the rapid weight loss. I go to my surgeon next week and will find out more but I am curious to see if anyone else here has had this problem. According to my research it sounds like it is not exremely common but does happen and the search showed no topics on this for this site. Please let me know your experience with this if it has happened with you. Thanks!!

[SueJH 205]

I'm still early on in the process so I don't have an answer for you, but in watching some YouTube videos from people who have had the surgery, there is one girl that goes by "sleevedfranklin" that experienced foot drop. I haven't watched in a while so I'm not sure what her current status is like, but she is very open and honest in her videos.

[eazye 151]

Are you doing exercises you normally didnt do before? Sounds like you very well could be aggrevating the sciatic nerve. About 6-7 years ago I slipped on some steps and caught myself awkwardly and then a day or two later my back really started hurting. It sent pains all the way down to my left foot, along the outside of my left calf, as well as in my butt. It was definitely sciatic nerve issues. It did cause foot drop for me as well which I still have a little left to this day despite my back being better. That is probably due to weakening musckes that I never build back up in the calf and foot though, not long term nerve damage.

If you are "using your back more" now, you may have a disk pressing on the sciatic nerver or you may have a narrowing in the pelvic bone where the nerve passes through causing pressure. Try Tylenol and rest to see if you just dont have inflammation in the nerve causing pressure and resulting in the numbness and foot drop issues.

I would not think it is from the weight loss directly but due to the more active lifestyle you are leading (you are uncovering other minor issues with a more active schedule).

[ashelaine 382]

It could also be B12 deficiency. That causes foot drop as well.

[Ballermom 803]

I did have that issue related to back problem unrelated/ before the weight loss. Back pain and sciatica nerve problem. I say foot drop should be report to your physician.

Along with other related symptoms you may have. Your physician will be able to best advise you. And follow you up.

[PdxMan 4,292]

I was diagnosed with foot drop about 15 months post-op. I had numbness in my right foot starting with my toe and after time, it continued through the foot and up into my calf. An MRI revealed a ruptured disc between L4/L5. I had a micro-discectomy last October. After, my disc had shrunk to the point where the bone was now pressing on the left nerve and as you may expect, I started getting numbness in my left foot. I had a laminectomy to remove the bone in January. A month later, I started physical therapy and have just recently finished. I still have minor numbness in both feet, but it is tolerable.

Now, is this related to weight loss? I can't see how losing weight could cause a disc to blow. I would think just the opposite, actually. Less weight would mean less compression on those discs. I did ask my surgeon and he agreed.

Don't take this lightly. I fell a couple times and broke my right big toe because I could not bring my foot around completely. Not fun.

[Shrinkingmom 218]

Thanks for the responses! I will be talking to my surgeon about it and I have had 2 ruptured discs in my back but no issues with either of those since surgery. In the articles I read, they make it seem fairly common to have this with rapid weight loss. There are many articles and studies they have completed. I am sure it could be either issue or a combination, but no, I won't take it lightly and I am very thankful to hear all of your stories and input.

[PGee 318]

I have never heard of this with weight loss.....will look it up.....I have some family members that have foot drop...... but it's related to CMT (Charcot-Marie-Tooth)......an inherited neurological disorder......Good luck, and please keep us posted on what you learn.....best wishes. -p

[mcsleeven 0]

Yes i am having the same issue i cant lift my toes pain doen my calf and complete numbness on big toe top of foot

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[Flippista 67]

Beriberi is a serious condition that be seen after WLS where there is severe and prolonged Vit B1/Thiamine deficiency. It can cause paralysis and/or preipheral neuropathy. Have your MD double check your labs. If that looks good, maybe look into physical therapy or ortho spine. Nerve impingement may occur at the spine or in the lower muscles. Low back pain is commonly seen after rapid weight loss as your center of gravity shifts. Our posture also shifts from increased lordosis by the way we carry belly weight to slowly tucking it back in. With weak back/core muscles, we get muscle spasms and tightness which may impinge nerves as they pass through. Physical therapy will help with postural/gait training and core re-activation. Good luck!

[queendeborahbee 119]

Beriberi is a serious condition that be seen after WLS where there is severe and prolonged Vit B1/Thiamine deficiency. It can cause paralysis and/or preipheral neuropathy. Have your MD double check your labs. If that looks good, maybe look into physical therapy or ortho spine. Nerve impingement may occur at the spine or in the lower muscles. Low back pain is commonly seen after rapid weight loss as your center of gravity shifts. Our posture also shifts from increased lordosis by the way we carry belly weight to slowly tucking it back in. With weak back/core muscles, we get muscle spasms and tightness which may impinge nerves as they pass through. Physical therapy will help with postural/gait training and core re-activation. Good luck!

Thank you, that makes so much sense!!!