Article

Acute bilateral foot drop is rare and may be due to
peripheral or central lesions.
The purpose of this case report was to describe
the differential diagnosis and recovery of a patient with low back pain (LBP)
that awoke with bilateral foot drop. CASE DESCRIPTION:
A 39-year-old man with a
history of LBP awoke with a steppage gait pattern. Spinal imaging and tapping
were negative for sinister pathologies. A subsequent history taken by the
physical therapist uncovered that the patient had previously taken a narcotic and
slept in a kneeling position to relieve his LBP. Strength and sensory testing
revealed isolated impairments in the fibular nerve distribution, and bilateral
fibular palsy was suspected and later confirmed with electrophysiological
studies. Surgical fibular nerve decompression was performed, and the patient
underwent physical therapy. OUTCOMES: Five months later the patient demonstrated
antigravity strength and a partial return of sensation. By 17 months, his Lower
Extremity Functional Scale had improved from 17/80 to 78/80, revealing a near
complete recovery. DISCUSSION: The patient's history of LBP was a "red herring"
that delayed the diagnosis and caused undue stress to the patient. This case
stresses the importance of a thorough history and clinical examination.

Langue : ANGLAIS