Possible dumb question alert...catching feet while walking

[jennbrooke]

So I noticed something, or more accurately re-noticed something in a different context, yesterday. When I walk, and even when I jog, I've noticed I have a tendency to catch my toes, or even the ball of the foot, and stumble. This happens quite often, whether I'm wearing my five fingers, sneakers, sandals, crocs, whatever. And it causes me to stumble.

I've always thought this was just normal, and me being a bit of a klutz, but now that I'm thinking about things in terms of MS (or possible MS), I'm wondering if maybe this isn't so normal, and a slight foot drop or drag. Not enough of one to be a true drop, but just enough that I'm tripping over my own feet fairly frequently (like 4-5 times in a half mile walk).

Thoughts, or am I just getting paranoid?

[JerryD]

That foot 'dragging' is one of the first symptoms I showed to my PCP. He didn't say he had suspicions. But he sent me to a neurologist. After many other tests, I was dx'd with PPMS. I think you will find many MSers that have gait problems.

[jennbrooke]

Thanks

Thanks, Jerry.

I'll add it to the list of things to talk about with the neurologist next Tuesday.

I'm finding it funny how many things I've just accepted as normal that may not be. I guess all you can really do is laugh about it, right?

I did check, and I don't seem to have any problems flexing my feet, so it's definitely not a true drop or paralysis, but I walked across the house, just to see if I noticed anything odd, and I definitely shuffle (skim the balls of the feet along the ground), even when I try not to. Of course, it's entirely possible I just have a bit of a shuffle, and need to be more conscious of how I walk/run, but it's probably not a bad thing to mention to the neurologist while I have his ear about the vertigo and other issues.

[tracibk]

that happens to me when I walk sometimes (can't jog anymore). It happens more if I am tired/have done too much walking/or when it is hot and humid. I have always been able to catch myself from falling flat on my face
I was dx 2002 but this started a couple of years ago.

[cosake]

I have this type of problem happen from time to time, but not on a regular basis. I have quite a few scuff marks on the toes on my right shoes.

[ru4cats]

Right leg weakness was what lead to my diagnosis of MS. This weakness continues to progress along with balance and stability issues. A couple weeks ago I took a header at a local store, 90% due to MS and 10% due to poor product placement, and ended up in the emergency room with stitches on my elbow. The emergency room doc said I wouldn't be an elbow model anymore! At 61+, not a problem! Be careful out there!

[justacowgirl]

Ii have the same problem which i think relates to spasticity. I just walk more stiff leggEd and don't lift my knees enough. Very frustrating and i trip. I constantly am reminding myself to walk correctly.

J

[seal]

I'm like Jennbrook as far as the foot "catching". What caught my attention, is you thinking that everyone does that.

There are a few symptoms like the foot "catching" that I thought every one had. Like muscle twitching, limbs just randomly deciding to "jump".

I think, in my case, at least, there were a few signs that if I had conveyed to MD might have sped up diagnosis, but, "I thought everyone did that!"

[beckyd]

One of my first symptoms.

[jennbrooke]

Thanks for all the replies, everyone! That is very helpful

seal - I am the queen of "I thought that happened to everyone". I can't tell you how many of the things that ended up being symptoms of Ehlers-Danlos, I had gone through 20+ years of thinking were "normal" only to find out I'd been dealing with a connective tissue disorder the whole time.

So, I'm thankful for people like you guys who can clue me in, because otherwise, I'd just walk around thinking things were normal that perhaps aren't, and at the very least bear some investigating.

Really glad I have that appointment coming up Tuesday!

[owlnona]

One of the 1st.problums that lead to my DX.Be careful, I've cracked my foot 2x's,due to "foot drop" It's not fun in a cast.

[aitch10]

Yup. Dragging the ball of my right foot was one of my first symptoms. Even now, when I'm in physical therapy, they give me excercises to help me drag my feet less when I walk, go up stairs or step over stuff.

[limppy]

me too

The foot drop was my first visable symptom also , went the same route thought it was nerves in my spine it wasn't took me about 3-4 years to get a MS diagonoses

[MyGirlsMom]

Jennbrooke, this was one of my symptoms that led me to diagnosis, even though I had it for several years. Be careful, it can lead to injuries...I have broken my foot.

A good indicator is to compare the toe bottoms of your shoes. My sneakers showed significant differences between my right and left foot.

When I was still able to run, my PT had me run and focus on lifting that leg higher. My foot drop has substantially diminished! :-). However, I can no longer run or wear high heels. :-(.

In my four years of knowing I have MS, I have learned that exercise is key. Keep walking, running, biking, Pilates, yoga, swimming....whatever is your "thing", to keep your body in the best shape as possible!

The hard part for me has been losing function even though i have continued to exercise and/or to be absolutely fatigued from a simple workout when I used to bike mountain trails. I continue to struggle with the mental aspects of loss due to MS. But, since I have seen my own improvements, I continue to push though and don't give up hope!

[Cat Mom]

You know those "sobriety tests" we get from our neuros, walking on your heels is the one you'll have difficulty with due to foot drop. But it's not always due to MS...

Just this past winter, DD heard my foot "flapping" in the next aisle in the grocery store, brought it up at my regular neuro appt, he scheduled an EMG (Electromyography) and discovered that it was foot drop, but muscular, not neurological. A couple of months of PT and it's good now.

By the way, I'm also a natural klutz named Jen!