Recovery of ankle dorsiflexion weakness following lumbar decompressive surgery

Abstract This retrospective study evaluated the recovery of ankle dorsiflexion (ADF) weakness following decompressive surgery in order to identify factors indicative of a better outcome. Fifty-six consecutive patients with ADF weakness secondary to nerve root compression underwent lumbar decompressive surgery. The demographic features, duration and severity of preoperative ADF weakness, associated radicular pain, as well as the radiological and intraoperative findings were recorded. ADF weakness at the time of initial follow-up at 6 weeks following surgery, and the latest follow-up at a median of 24 months was recorded. The patients had a mean age of 50.5 years with equal numbers of men and women. Acute disc prolapse was the compressive pathology in 88%. Clinical foot drop, defined as an ADF power of