Question
In February this year, after walking for half a morning in ill-fitting leather shoes, I felt some pain in my feet when I got home. The next morning, when I woke up, I found that I had foot drop, accompanied by numbness on the lateral part of my lower leg and on the second metatarsal back of my foot. I went to the hospital for a check-up and was diagnosed with severe peroneal nerve damage. I was hospitalized for treatment, mainly involving intravenous blood thinners and hormone injections, but there was no significant improvement after ten days.
Answer
The main symptoms of peroneal nerve damage are foot drop and regional numbness on the lateral part of the lower leg. If left untreated for a long time, it may lead to ischemic muscle atrophy in the lower leg, which is the beginning of disability caused by this condition. If proper treatment is not received during the treatment phase, secondary nerve adhesion or deformation may occur, making it unlikely that nerve or tendon transplantation will lead to optimal recovery. Therefore, the disability rate is extremely high, and the key to recovery lies in early treatment. Treatment plan: a combination of Chinese and Western medicine with a focus on dialectical treatment, enhancing regional blood circulation in the damaged nerve area, preventing secondary adhesion or deformation of affected nerves, and using medication to stimulate nerve regeneration and recovery post-surgery. This allows nerves to regain control over foot and ankle function for an earlier recovery. Patients with foot drop should wear professionally designed shoes to protect the ankle joint from bone wear and deformity and undergo appropriate exercise. If you need assistance, please send an electromyogram and medical records for guidance.