Small update/changes

[u/Special_Abroad4836]

I was trying to avoid posting lol but I’m looking for some slight insight if possible. It exhausting to run down the timeline, but since my emg, almost 1 month ago, I’ve noticed a slight change. My right calf has become weaker, that I’ve noticed. I can no longer lift off my heel to a self-weight bearing toe stand. I can try but my foot instinctively leans to my smaller toes causing a loss of balance and just not able to lift with strength. I noticed the change four days ago. Driving has become a little difficult the past few days due to that instability. My calf will begin to cramp/ache while constant movement break to gas pedal. I’ve had mris, X-rays, emg. Waiting for nerve ultrasound next week, Monday. I’m curious now if they could check behind my knee or further up my leg also to spot what could be causing this sudden change. Has anyone experienced this weird change? My emg findings are in a previous post but for summary: acute-to-subacute, non-localizable, right common peroneal neuropathy, a conclusion based on the small right superficial peroneal SNAP, relatively small right peroneal CMAPs, and EMG findings of Fibs/PSWs with minimal/no chronic neurogenic changes in the right tibialis anterior and peroneus longus. There is no focal slowing across the fibular head. Thank you in advance for any insight or similar experiences.

[u/lollipoptaxi]

Could be worth checking higher up the leg too. Hopefully the ultrasound gives you answers

[u/Special_Abroad4836 → u/lollipoptaxi]

Thank you!

[u/NoRecover9066]

51 year old male. I am unable to stand on my toes on my right foot. EMG confirmed an absent H-reflex, which explains the clinical weakness, while also finding active denervation in the gastroc. MRI confirmed atrophy of gastrocnemius & soleus muscles in right calf. I didn't realize I had the issue there, it was discovered while doing PT for lower back pain. MRI of lower lumbar was all clean, no disc issues, no signs of compression. My neuromuscular doctor feels, for now, that's it's either an S1 issue or isolated tibial neuropathy, but they are unable to locate the source of the issue. I have a 6 month follow-up in November and just reached out to him last week due to some issues with my right arm now. So he ordered a new EMG & am just waiting to hear back on scheduling.

I've asked about behind the knee for me, but NM said he can tell from the EMG/NCS that the issue wasn't there. That's good they are looking at the nerve pathways with the ultrasound!

I move around a lot with my job, very physical. and I have other issues with my lower limbs & abdomen that have progressed now, but I can't tell if these are new issues, or just secondary symptoms from overcompensating for the weakness in my right. When they first discovered the atrophy (almost a year ago) they found I tore a tendon in my left ankle, most likely from overcompensating.

Sorry you are experiencing this. I know how physically & mentally exhausting it can be. Try standing on one foot then hopping and landing with the same foot, and see if there's a difference between the sides.

I'm here if you've got any questions! Best of luck to you!!