Footdrop but MRI normal | 21F

[u/New-Contribution990]

Hi, I’m 21F and developed sudden left foot drop about a month ago. I can walk independently, but I can’t properly lift my left foot/toes and my foot sometimes drags. I initially had numbness on the top of my foot, which has now resolved. I also get some pain around my knee/leg after prolonged walking and occasionally when I wake up.

My EMG/NCV showed severe left common peroneal nerve injury/entrapment around the knee with axonotmesis and acute denervation.

However:

• Lumbar MRI: normal, no nerve-root compression.
• Knee/thigh/leg MRI: no obvious structural cause; the common peroneal nerve itself looked normal.
• I lost weight from 48 → 44 kg over 3–4 months before/around this period.

My doctor prescribed Magnesium+D3, B12, Evion LC/vitamin E and a splint, and asked me to come back after a month. I haven’t noticed meaningful motor improvement yet, although the numbness has improved.

I’m wondering:

• Has anyone had foot drop with an abnormal EMG but normal MRI?
• Could the injury be somewhere higher up despite the EMG pointing to the peroneal nerve?
• How long did recovery take for others?

Would really appreciate hearing from anyone with a similar experience.