Current Issue - - Vol 5 Issue 4
Abstract
PDF- 2002;5;419-421Painless Foot Drop: An Atypical Etiology of a Common Presentation
A Case Report
Russel V. Gilchrist, DO, Sarjoo M. Bhagia, MD, David A. Lenrow, MD, Larry H. Chou, MD, David Chow, MD, and Curtis W. Slipman, MD.
Weakness of the dorsiflexor muscles of the foot is a relatively common presentation. In most cases, the etiology involves a peripheral injury to the common peroneal nerve. These patients usually present with lower motor neuron findings on evaluation. In contrast, if upper motor neuron findings were present a central lesion should be suspected and appropriate imaging studies are performed. We describe a patient with painless foot drop and lower motor findings on examination that was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. This case demonstrates that multiple sclerosis can masquerade as a peripheral process in some patients. Keywords: Foot drop, peripheral nerve injury, lower motor neuron lesion, upper motor neuron lesion, multiple sclerosis