Can numbness of feet be attributed to fractured ribs 11 and 12

I am an active 67 yr old retiree; Oct 9th while running after my grandson playing ball I tripped and fell on the concrete resulting in fractured ribs 11 & 12, the floating ribs. MRI confirmed this, while at my annual cardiologist visit, I asked him about numbness to soles of my feet and he checked and said I have a strong pulse to both feet and said it may be nerve damage as a result and to consult a Neurologist to have them perform a 'Nerve conduction velocity test and / or to have an MRI of the 8 lumbar and spine'. Neurologists I call are backed up 3 months, can condition become unrepairable after this much time and is this something that is even curable and can be restored?

Gene from Port St. Lucie

Hello, Gene.

Firstly, humans have 5 lumbar vertebrae, not 8. It's possible there might have been a miscommunication or misunderstanding in your conversation with the cardiologist.

Regarding your concerns:

Nerve Damage & Healing: Peripheral nerves, which are the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord, have the capacity to heal. The rate of healing depends on various factors including the severity of the injury. Minor nerve injuries can recover over weeks to months, while more severe injuries can take several months or longer. In some cases, complete recovery might not be possible, but it often can be hard to predict the outcome early on.
Waiting Time for Consultation: While it's always good to get evaluated sooner rather than later, a few months' wait for a neurologist, while not ideal, might not drastically change the potential for nerve recovery. However, if you notice worsening symptoms or develop new symptoms, it's important to seek medical attention sooner.
Nerve Conduction Velocity Test: This test evaluates how fast electrical signals move through a nerve. It can help identify nerve damage and its possible cause. It's a common tool neurologists use to diagnose and assess neuropathies (nerve disorders).
MRI: An MRI of the spine can visualize potential causes for nerve symptoms, like herniated discs or spinal stenosis, which might press on nerves leading to the lower extremities.
Treatment & Recovery: The management of nerve damage depends on its cause. Some causes of nerve damage are more treatable than others. For instance, if a herniated disc is pressing on a nerve, relieving that pressure can alleviate symptoms. However, some nerve damage may be permanent, but even in these cases, there are often treatments available to manage symptoms and improve function.