Hi Nigel,
I’m the same… it’s numbness, paraesthesia, stiffness, spasms every other day. It varies all the time, and yesterday was a nightmare… the spasms were all over my foot, hip and ankle, and my morale crashed (yet again).
Today, in need of some encouragement, I did a standard test for proprioception. I wonder how well you would do at this, Nigel. Fancy a go? So I stood upright, no support, feet together, eyes closed. My wife timed me and I managed just over 2 minutes (no peeping). It was hard. There must be some rudimentary proprioceptors (our feet are crammed full of them, so we can stand upright) functioning, and I reported this little test to my Radiologist friend, who was well pleased. Mind you, he had worked out I had some proprioception since I sent him a videoclip of myself getting up from the grass unaided, without stick, (thanks to my CORE training).
In terms of CPSP, I presume there are differences between us, but I attribute all my pains to my nerves reattaching and the participation of higher brain functions to my movements, and sensation. Somewhat like you, I experience hyper sensitivity, but my Chinese Dr. says pain is my friend !! Charming.
I have the mid-gait catch, some days it’s worse / some better. But the podiatrist declared I have no equinus, nor contracture… she said my feet were essentially similar in performance. She explained my 10 degree dorsiflexion vs 30 on my good foot down to flexibility, experience, bit of stiffness etc. I have rejected her recommendation for an orthotic (for now).
“Not feeling contact with floor” ? How about with bare feet ? Tickle your toes / sole of foot ? How about hot / cold water ? Have you tried rubbing the sole of your foot on a rough textured slab (like my patio?)
I have often wondered how close we are in terms of progress, and often thought some symptoms were close, then I would think to myself that you are much further along the line in terms of progress and capability. I’m sure what matters is that we each overcome, slowly but surely, our battles!
Thx for reading, keep it up,
ciao, Roland