While most people with MS (around two-thirds) retain the ability to walk, many experience difficulties, with estimates suggesting 40-80% have balance/gait issues, and a significant portion (up to a third) may eventually need wheelchairs or mobility aids, though complete paralysis is rare, with significant weakness or partial paralysis affecting around 70% more commonly.
According to a survey† of more than 1,000 US adults with MS, about 46% experienced walking difficulty at least twice a week. Of those who experienced walking difficulty: Nearly 2 in 5 (39%) said they experienced mobility issues before they were diagnosed with MS.
Lifestyle and home remedies
What causes balance and walking issues? Problems with balance and walking may be the direct result of MS causing damage to parts of the nervous system responsible for mobility or may be caused indirectly by other MS symptoms.
Most people can enjoy a good quality of life with MS, especially if they have appropriate support. However, a person may need to make lifestyle adjustments in order to retain their quality of life.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
You can spend it on whatever you need, such as paying for support to remain independent during relapses, or to help with extra costs such as heating, transport or help around the house. Some people with MS assume they can't get PIP because they're 'not disabled enough'.
MS is not considered a terminal illness and it's very rare for someone to die directly because of MS. But MS is a lifelong condition and if someone is severely affected, the risk of dying from a complication related to MS (like an infection) is greater.
Difficulty in walking is among the most common mobility limitations in multiple sclerosis. The term “gait” refers more specifically to the manner or pattern of walking (for example unsteady gait).
Some people with MS describe it as like having bags of sand attached to their legs. This muscle weakness combined with MS fatigue can be upsetting. Weakness in your legs can cause balance and walking difficulties and you may be more likely to fall.
The Takeaway. Walking difficulties are one of the more common mobility issues in people with MS. Trying physical and occupational therapy, using assistive devices, and following a proper treatment plan are a few strategies that can help you stay on your feet.
The exact trigger for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is unknown, but it's believed to be a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors, including certain infections (like Epstein-Barr Virus), low Vitamin D levels (linked to less sunlight), smoking, obesity, stress, and potentially genetic susceptibility. These factors can trigger an autoimmune attack where the immune system mistakenly damages myelin in the central nervous system.
For those with MS, avoiding too much exercise is a big concern. Too much activity can cause fatigue and worsen symptoms. It's important to listen to your body and know when you've done too much. Pacing activities and taking breaks helps manage energy.
Researchers at Michigan State University suggest that a blood test can distinguish patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) from people with other neurological conditions, according to a recent study published in EBioMedicine.
Some people with MS will have a more progressive disease course than others. Yet, history studies have indicated that, absent of any treatment, only about one-third of people with MS require a wheelchair or mobility aid after 20 years with MS.
Recent changes in disease incidence and prevalence are likely to be the result of environmental factors that could have been operative in the past few decades. There is evidence to support the view that MS is a complex trait determined by both genetic and environmental factors.
MS is the most commonly acquired neurological disease in younger adults around the world with over 2.3 million people affected. More than 25,600 Australians live with MS and over 7.6 million Australians know or have a loved one with this potentially debilitating disease.
However, with the right exercises, it's possible to manage these symptoms more effectively and dare I say it, even become stronger. Squats and leg presses are two powerful exercises that can significantly improve leg strength for individuals with MS.
The T25-FW is a quantitative mobility and leg function performance test based on a timed 25-foot walk. It is the first component of the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) to be administered at each visit.
MS often causes muscle weakness, changes in gait, and altered foot mechanics, which may place abnormal stress on the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that supports the arch of the foot. Over time, this stress can lead to inflammation and pain.
Among people with MS, 41% reported having difficulty walking, including 13% with inability to walk at least twice a week. Of those with difficulty walking, 70% said it was the most challenging aspect of having MS. Of those with inability to walk at least twice a week, 74% said it disrupted their daily lives.
The 6 Minute Walk Test is a sub-maximal exercise test used to assess aerobic capacity and endurance. The distance covered over a time of 6 minutes is used as the outcome by which to compare changes in performance capacity.
Muscle weakness can occur in any part of the body. You may feel the disease has not allowed you to maintain your usual activity level and your muscles have lost strength or you tire quickly. A decline in physical function and mobility can lead to falls and the loss of independence.
An Overview of How Many People Have MS
A landmark study funded by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society found that nearly 1 million people in the U.S. have MS, more than twice the previous estimate. Currently, 2.9 million people have multiple sclerosis worldwide.
As well as disability benefits, there's other financial help out there that might make living with MS easier. Find out more about free public transport, disabled facilities grants, help with keeping warm in winter, prescription charges and dealing with debt.
Some people with MS lose sensation in their tongue. Some health care providers refer to MS-related tongue issues as “MS tongue.” Loss of sensation or numbness can make it difficult to move your tongue when you speak, chew, or swallow. Tongue numbness may also diminish sense of taste.