I was clipping john's toenails one day and i asked him to try to move his right big toe. He cringed then agreed. After several seconds, his foot twisted slightly. I figured that it must be a spasm so i told him to do it again. He was able to repeat this several times and then became very fatigued, almost out of breath.
We continued these attempts for a few weeks. Then this ability disappeared.
He is a complete t6-7 with no sensation. However he does have chronic pins and needles in his right foot.
John now says that he was only spasming, but if thats the case, then why was he able to repeat the movement on demand and why did it cause the fatigue? I'm just wondering if perhaps there might be a few pathways that are still intact.
Has anyone had anything similar?
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On Demand Movement
Started by
ASHLEYTHOMPSON
, Oct 19 2005 11:53 PM
4 replies to this topic
Top#2
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Posted 20 October 2005 - 12:29 AM
I've been able to, sporadically, initiate a very minimal movement of my big toe. But it's a hit and miss thing...sometimes I'm successful, but most times I'm not. The same with moving my foot in a downward motion.
And the effort does take a lot out of you. My therapists kept teasing me that they expected me to just levitate off of the table whenever I'd try, as I would recruit my entire body just for that miniscule movement. And I have a tendency to hold my breath with the effort...I'd always leave PT with a huge headache.
I guess that shoots the hell out of the theory that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Trying to move is very frustrating...even maddening...so I found that I'd do better if I gave myself lots of breaks. I just can't handle doing it for very long at a time. It's a brain thing, I guess.
And the effort does take a lot out of you. My therapists kept teasing me that they expected me to just levitate off of the table whenever I'd try, as I would recruit my entire body just for that miniscule movement. And I have a tendency to hold my breath with the effort...I'd always leave PT with a huge headache.
I guess that shoots the hell out of the theory that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Trying to move is very frustrating...even maddening...so I found that I'd do better if I gave myself lots of breaks. I just can't handle doing it for very long at a time. It's a brain thing, I guess.
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Female. Incomplete para following a cord stroke in '03. Spina-bifida, severe scoliosis. 18 surgeries total...five spine-related: Three fusions w/hardware, two tethered cord releases.
Female. Incomplete para following a cord stroke in '03. Spina-bifida, severe scoliosis. 18 surgeries total...five spine-related: Three fusions w/hardware, two tethered cord releases.
#3
AHolland
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Posted 20 October 2005 - 01:07 AM
I do wonder sometimes if I have feeling or control down in my feet. Every once in a while I can swear that I just moved a foot or leg, but nothing will happen when I try. After a while I have given up trying. Maybe one day I will give it a whirl and see what happens.
T4/T5
#4
hillarymcarter
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Posted 20 October 2005 - 01:45 AM
Bruce will swear he moves too....I don't know if he has just been looking at his leg and trying os hard that he thinks he sees it. I did witness one of his thigh muscles contract once on demand.
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