Diagnostic Dilemma: A Case Report of Isolated Foot Drop
Anuraj Yadav
Department of Orthopaedics, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chromepet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
. Pugazhendhi
Department of Orthopaedics, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chromepet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The Foot drop in which the patient is unable to or has difficulty performing dorsiflexion of the ankle joint. The causes of this condition are Lower motor neuron disease or Upper motor neuron disease with the former being much more common than the latter. We hereby present a case of a 41- year- old male who presented to the Outpatient Department with complaints of difficulty in walking and weakness of the left foot since the past 4 months. Neurological examination found 1/5 power of the left ankle dorsiflexors along with the presence of ankle clonus.”Radiological investigations of the spine did not show any abnormality. Nerve conduction study of the lower limbs was also found to be normal. A plain CT scan of the brain showed the presence of a hyperdense lobulated mass on the right parietal lobe. Patient was referred to Neurosurgery after diagnosis was made where he underwent surgery for removal of the lesion. Patient’s ankle dorsiflexion power improved to 4/5 three weeks post surgery.
Keywords: Foot drop, orthopaedic outpatient, neurosurgery, Hallucis Longus