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The response to the question below was authored by Marc Mitnick DPM

I can not flex my left foot

by Eileen
(Philippines)

It all started two days ago, when I was re-painting the grout from our bathroom floor. My position was squatting or kneeling to get a better view from what I was doing. Suddenly while I was in the squatting position, I fell as if somebody pushed me, hitting my knee on the floor (it was not a hard fall). So I still continued doing what I wanted to finish. Eventually, I got tired and decided to rest. I started noticing when I was doing a little leg excercise to relax my muscles, I could not not flex my left foot anymore. My right foot is perfectly fine but my left foot can do other movements except to flex. This caused my walking abilities and sometimes would make me fall off my feet because I could not control it. I am just worried because it seems like there is no communication from my brain to my left foot. My left foot wont follow and flex, even though my brain commands to do so. What is wrong with my left foot, please help! Thank you and God bless.

Hi Eileen,

Apparently there is a "cause and effect" between your kneeling and lack of foot flexion. I think you just overstretched something.
Try exercising the foot, take some anti-inflammatory medication (if you can tolerate them) and I would imagine in a couple of days the problem will clear up. If not you will then need to see a doctor.
Marc Mitnick DPM

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Jul 29, 2013
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Right foot will not flex
by: Cathy

My husband injured his back from spending hours taking out plants and replanting annuals in our flower bed. He was in pain at first, then after a round of steroids the pain diminished. After 3 months he still has slight numbness in his right foot. He continues to do his stretches that the PT gave him. However, he cannot flex his right foot and often times trips. He has actually fallen on a few occasions. He is 64 years old and has always been very athletic and active his entire life, so he is very frustrated. He is also doing DRX 9000 decompression machine, halfway through but no improvement. Can you offer any insight.

Hi,

There are two issues that need to be investigated. The first is residual damage to the nerves that travel into the right foot. Numbness in the foot with a history of lower back injury is always suggestive of continued problems in the lower back, perhaps leading to muscle weakness in the foot and ankle. If the numbness is getting worse, he could end up with permanent numbness and muscle weakness, or stated the other way, if he is going for therapy and still has numbness that is not a good sign.
The second area that needs to be explored is the ankle joint itself. At age 64 it is very possible that he could have arthritic degeneration within the ankle joint making it very difficult to bend the ankle.
Since the ankle problem apparently started after the back issue, I would suggest having the back examined again along with muscle testing in the foot and ankle to see if there is actually any nerve damage.

Marc Mitnick DPM

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ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

Mayo Clinic

Johns Hopkins Medicine

MedlinePlus

Arthritis Foundation

University of Rochester Medical Center

Harvard Health

Drugs.com

American Academy of Pediatrics

Penn State Medical Center

National Institutes of Health

Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation

ScienceDirect

Stanford Health Care

Illinois Bone and Joint Institute

Mount Sinai Hospital

Institute for Chronic Pain

University of Florida Health

American Family Physician

Cedars-Sinai

University of Maryland Medical Center

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(location unknown)

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(location unknown)

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(location unknown)

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(location unknown)

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Unknown

Unknown location

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Unknown location

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New Zealand

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Thanks, Kathy

Florida

1st of all THANKS A LOT for your great site......

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Poland

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M P

South Carolina

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unknown location

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Arlington, VA

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San Clemente, CA

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Pam

location unknown

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location unknown

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Bre

location unknown

Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so much for your reply. I did let my physician know and they took an x-ray - all is well! Also, thank you for providing this wonderful site, it is very helpful with lots of useful information! I appreciate your gift of time! God bless.

anonymous

Dr. Mitnick, Thank you, you were 100% correct. The pain finally brought me to the ER. I spent 8 days in the hospital. The Doppler you spoke of was able to show that there was no pulse in that foot. This was an arterial clot that split and traveled throughout my leg. My leg was almost amputated. I am in rough shape but have all my parts intact!! You certainly know what you are talking about. Thank you for taking the time to answer. Yours Truly!

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Poland

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Seattle, WA

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Bonnie

location unknown

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Bill

New Jersey

Thanks so much for answering my question. You've been more help to me than my own Dr. has been lately. Thanks again....I hope to be able to walk without pain someday.

Debbie

location unknown

Wow, that is exactly the information needed!!! thank you thank you thank you!!! I appreciate this help so very much from Marc Mitnick DPM. Excellent information and help to improve One's life.

Chrissy

location unknown

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Tracy

Evansville, IA

Dear Marc

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Russ W.

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Jackie

San Diego, CA

Dr. Mitnick, Just want to say thank you so very much for your quick response and very informative reply! After reading what you had to say, I called the doctor's office and was able to get in and see him the same day as my injury. Toe was x-rayed and luckily, it is not broken or fractured. Very badly bruised and will probably lose the toe nail. And although my toe and toe nail are still very black and blue and very sore, they ARE both starting to feel a little better. So again, thank you! I am so very happy that I came across your website. The service you provide is outstanding and immeasurable!

Rivi,

Albany, NY

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Jill S.

location unknown

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND EFFORTS, YOU ARE SO VERY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.

Jackie

Whichita, KS

thanks again, this site is very helpful.

mark

Boston, MA

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....Keep up what your doing. Your a life saver.

Michelle

Colorado

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annielou

Colorado

Wonderful advice

by: Anonymous

This is the best site for foot problem info.

Thank you for this information. This description fits my pain and inflammation behind my 2nd toe perfectly.

by: Max

location unknown

Again, I really appreciate that you responded to my inquiry, and that your mention of Parkinson's helped me to find my way to a diagnosis of this difficult to diagnose disease. Most patients see on average 16 doctors before they are diagnosed. I hope that you can help other people that ask for your expertise in the future.

Barb D.

Canada

I just wanted to say that I am very greatful for this website!! I have had a fusion in my rt foot and am finally getting a little bit better......

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location unknown

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Wisconsin

Thank you for your response. You have provided some great insight (to my question)....

Julie

location unknown

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Renae

North Carolina

Many Thanks Dr Marc!
Thank you for your response. It sounds like a good plan to me. He did not cut the wart out first ...

KG

location unknown

Thanks again doc for having this website and we STILL need qualified Podiatrists in beautiful sunny Tampa Bay (Bradenton) Florida.

Bessie Mae

Florida

Dear Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so very much for taking your time to answer my question. You have greatly relieved my anxiety related to the continual tingly I feel in my feet. I will share your response with my podiatrist next week. God bless you for having this question and answer page on your website! Most gratefully,

Lynne T.

location unknown

Your webpage is excellent, I commend you on sharing your knowledge to the public.

Robert

New Jersey

Thank you. you were more detailed than what others have told me they finally called from the last xrays and my son is now in a cast for 2 weeks he did have a fracture that was not noticeable.

a mom

location unknown

I have read your website and I have to admit that I am amazed at all the information that is on here. I have learned more than the three years I have been going to several doctors that I have seen!!

Melody

Lenoir, NC

Thank you so much Doc for a quick and thorough response!

Rustam

Bellevue, WA

I cannot thank you enough for your response, opinion, and suggestions! I want you to know how much it means to me, and I'm sure everyone else who has ever asked you a question! I feel like you're a lifesaver and have empowered me to take a stronger role and stand up for myself and my feet!

Jodi

location unknown

I can not flex my left foot

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