Foot drop as the initial symptom caused by thoracic disc herniation

摘要

Abstract Background Foot drop is a syndrome resulting from weakness or paralysis of the tibialis anterior muscle. Some patients with thoracic disc herniation seek medical help complain of foot drop as the initial symptom. The study investigated the clinical characteristics of these patients and clarified the clinical efficacy after treatment.Methods A total of 13 patients with foot drop as the initial symptom arising from thoracic disc herniation were collected from January 2015 to December 2020. The average follow-up period was 20.5?months. We recorded neurological functions, the tibialis anterior muscle strength, Japanese Orthopedic Association score (JOA), location of the lesion, and occupation rate of herniation in the spinal canal preoperatively and at the final follow-up.Results None pathological reflex was found in the patients. Surgical treatment was performed in 12 of the 13 patients, and tibialis anterior functional recovery was observed in 83.4 (10/12) of the cases, with an average recovery rate of 52.8?±?18.5. The mean JOA score increased from 6.8?±?1.9 points preoperatively to 8.9?±?1.3 points postoperatively (p?