Leg weakness can be caused by a variety of medical conditions, some of which are serious. Possible causes include stroke, systemic diseases, inflammatory conditions, nerve damage, muscle disorders, and medication side effects.
Weakness in the legs can be caused by many different conditions, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or called Lou Gehrig's disease), bulging/herniated (slipped) disc, Cauda equina syndrome, Guillain-Barré syndrome, autoimmune diseases, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, peripheral neuropathy, pinched ...
Neurological Conditions
Illnesses like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and cervical spondylosis slowly damage the way your nervous system talks to your brain, which can affect your balance. Physical therapy can help you manage the symptoms.
Common causes of sudden leg weakness include drop attacks, the Guillain–Barr syndrome and nontraumatic spinal cord compression due to metastatic tumour or an epidural abscess.
Leg weakness can be caused by a variety of medical conditions, some of which are serious. Possible causes include stroke, systemic diseases, inflammatory conditions, nerve damage, muscle disorders, and medication side effects.
As a result, people with heart failure often feel weak (especially in their arms and legs), tired and have difficulty performing ordinary activities such as walking, climbing stairs or carrying groceries.
Loss of balance or unsteadiness
Losing your balance while walking, or feeling imbalanced, can result from: Vestibular problems. Abnormalities in your inner ear can cause a sensation of a floating or heavy head and unsteadiness in the dark. Nerve damage to your legs (peripheral neuropathy).
The ear is a sensory organ that picks up sound waves, allowing us to hear. It is also essential to our sense of balance: the organ of balance (the vestibular system) is found inside the inner ear.
Causes of balance problems include medications, ear infection, a head injury, or anything else that affects the inner ear or brain. Low blood pressure can lead to dizziness when you stand up too quickly.
Legs like jelly or noodles, or legs that feel heavy like cement. These are some of the ways MyMSTeam members describe leg weakness, a common symptom of MS. Leg weakness can come on suddenly and may happen after exertion.
Causes of nerve damage include direct injury, tumor growth on the spine, prolonged pressure on the spine, and diabetes. A spinal cord injury. Spinal cord injuries are among the most common reasons that legs give out. These injuries vary in severity but should always be evaluated immediately by a spine specialist.
Common causes include inner ear problems, medicines, infections, and traumatic brain injury. These disorders can occur at any age. But they are most common as you get older. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and can include medicine, rehabilitation, and lifestyle changes.
A spinning sensation when you're not actually moving (vertigo) Veering side to side as you walk. Falling, or feeling like you are going to fall. Constant motion sensitivity.
Certain conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, or problems with your vision, thyroid, nerves, or blood vessels can cause dizziness and other balance problems.
Untreated, vitamin B-12 deficiency can lead to neurological problems, such as persistent tingling in the hands and feet or problems with balance. It can lead to mental confusion and forgetfulness because vitamin B-12 is necessary for healthy brain function.
Researchers have found that balance begins to decline in midlife, starting at about age 50. In one recent study, adults in their 30s and 40s could stand on one foot for a minute or more. At age 50, the time decreased to 45 seconds. At 70, study participants managed 28 seconds.
Diagnosing the underlying cause of imbalance is difficult because there are many potential causes. Your primary care physician may refer you to a neurologist, otolaryngologist, or neuro-otologist for further diagnosis. Tests that may be used to determine the cause of imbalance include: Audiometric (hearing) tests.
Pain, achiness, fatigue, burning, or discomfort in the muscles of your feet, calves, or thighs. Symptoms that often appear during walking or exercise, and go away after several minutes of rest. Numbness in your legs or feet when you are at rest. Your legs may also feel cool to the touch, and the skin may look pale.
Do you feel like you're swaying, spinning, tilting, or generally off balance? You could be suffering from vertigo. Vertigo most often the result of a problem with your inner ear.
Feeling dizzy when bending over may be due to a number of possible reasons. Causes can include poor circulation, low blood sugar, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease, and more. A person should see a doctor if the dizziness is frequent or severe enough to interfere with daily activities.