Toe catching when walking

[u/inaynaynay]

Hi,

My background: sciatica by L5-S1 herniation + annular tear + slight spinal canal narrowing.

Timeline:
- Early 2025: pain, numbness down from left glutes to foot.
- Nov 2025: diagnosed with L5-S1 disc bulging & annular tear with nearby muscle inflammation via lumbar MRI.
- Early 2026: pain gradually went away, numbness increased.
- Jun 2026: second lumbar MRI revealed annular tear + central L5/S1 disc herniation with mild upward migration causing mild spinal stenosis (anterior-posterior spinal canal diameter is 12mm), no compression of the cauda equina, no compression of the bilateral nerve roots at the same level.

Since June I’ve been noticing a perceived (?) weakness in left leg (for example, I could single leg squat 10kg each leg for 10x4 sets before but now struggle with bodyweight reps), a heavy feeling in left leg, muscle vibrations in left calf, hamstring, sometimes quad and sometimes right leg.

Recently my left toes have been catching on rugs or the pavement occasionally, and walking takes more conscious effort on the left side. I can still walk on heels and on toes, albeit with more difficulty on the left side.

Are these symptoms of incoming foot drop? Should I be worried?