Leg Weakness: Causes & Reasons

Possible Causes for Leg Weakness

CMT is first noticed when someone develops lower leg weakness and foot deformities such as foot drop, hammertoes and high arches. [crystalinks.com]

To identify weakness, the patient may be asked to walk on his heels or to move part of his leg against an opposing force. [web.archive.org]

Physical therapy and orthotics in combination help improve efficiency, function, and safety with ambulation and other activities, as foot drop and leg weakness are major components [massgeneral.org]

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder with Anti-AQP4 Antibodies

She presented to the Neurology Department at Wayne State University with bilateral leg weakness, ascending paresthesias, and decreased sensation. [jamanetwork.com]

If the swelling is in the lower back, then symptoms can include back pain, weakness of both legs and bowel and bladder problems. [gosh.nhs.uk]

Over the next 72 hours he developed rapidly progressive leg weakness, numbness, and urinary retention, and attended his local emergency department. [rcpjournals.org]

Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 3

People with this condition may experience: Leg weakness, especially in the thigh muscles An unsteady gait Difficulty standing from a seated position Trouble climbing stairs [cedars-sinai.edu]

However, a small number of people with more extensive spina bifida occulta may have some of the following symptoms: Foot deformity Leg weakness, numbness, or clumsiness Bladder [columbiaspine.org]

Symptoms include generalized weakness and muscle wasting with muscle twitches common, atrophy of distal leg muscles, thigh muscle weakness, distal arm muscle weakness, impaired [smaaustralia.org.au]

Lambert-Eaton Syndrome

The first case, a 72-year-old female presenting with leg weakness, was treated by plasma exchange (PE). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Here, we report a rare case of LEMS with atypical bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumor: a 65-yr-old man presented with progressive leg weakness and a diagnosis of LEMS was made [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

The first case, a 72‐year‐old female presenting with leg weakness, was treated by plasma exchange (PE). [doi.org]

Late-Onset Pompe Disease

Symptoms of late-onset Pompe disease Muscle weakness, especially in the torso and legs, are often the first symptoms of late-onset Pompe disease. [pompediseasenews.com]

Table 1 Differential diagnosis of LOPD Differential condition Common symptoms Limb–girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) Progressive muscle weakness in the pelvis, legs, and shoulders [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Leg and foot muscles are spared or minimally involved till the later stages of the disease. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Pompe Disease

Paul McIntosh and Chafic Karam, Clinical Reasoning: A 38-year-old man with respiratory failure and progressive leg weakness, Neurology, 86, 18, (e190), (2016). [dx.doi.org]

Proximal legs Weakness Proximal Legs > Arms Ptosis (40%) Course: Slow progression; Ambulation difficulties Vital capacity: 40% to 90% Cardiomyopathy (80%) Especially with [neuromuscular.wustl.edu]

[…] after leg weakness Eventually occurs in 100% Diaphragm involvement: Common & Early; More symptomatic when supine Sleep disordered breathing: Common Expiration more involved [neuromuscular.wustl.edu]

Acute Hepatic Porphyria

These may include: vomiting insomnia constipation pain in the arms and legs muscle weakness confusion, hallucinations, and seizures heart palpitations Hereditary coproporphyria [healthline.com]

Other symptoms may include: vomiting constipation pain in the back, arms and legs muscle weakness (due to effects on nerves supplying the muscles) urinary retention palpitations [porphyriafoundation.org]

Neurological symptoms preceding diagnosis included leg/arm pain (45.2%), seizures (12.7%), neuropathy (11.1%), and muscle weakness (10.3%). [n.neurology.org]

Autosomal Recessive Spastic Paraplegia Type 30

The term “paraplegia” means severe weakness in both legs including paralysis. “Paraparesis” indicates weakness in both legs of lesser severity than paraplegia. [rarediseases.org]

[…] spasticity and weakness. [journals.lww.com]

An early feature is difficulty walking due to spasticity and weakness, which typically affect both legs equally. [icdlist.com]

Hemiparesis

– upper and lower extremity Contralateral Ataxia – arm and leg Notes Weakness usually more prominent in leg than arm; extensor plantar response; no facial involvement or [strokecenter.org]

Hip flexion on the right was weak, and he could not lift his leg off the couch. The remaining right leg flexors were weak but the extensors were normal. [pn.bmj.com]

One-sided weakness can affect your arms, hands, legs and facial muscles. [inhomephysicaltherapy.ca]

Hemorrhagic Stroke

Imbalance One-sided arm or leg weakness. [strokeassociation.org]

Classic signs of an ACA stroke are contralateral leg weakness and sensory loss. Be sure to evaluate lower-extremity strength and sensation. [americannursetoday.com]

And depending on where in the brain the injury occurred, the weakness could be the face, arm, leg or a combination of the three. [medicinenet.com]

Stroke

Imbalance One-sided arm or leg weakness. [strokeassociation.org]

weakness, speech disturbance, visual field defect). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Stroke in the anterior cerebral artery results in opposite leg weakness. [strokecenter.org]

Hereditary Coproporphyria

Other symptoms include: Muscle pain Muscle weakness or paralysis Numbness or tingling Pain in the arms or legs Pain in the back Personality changes Attacks can sometimes be [medlineplus.gov]

The nerve damage associated with ADP could cause breathing impairment or lead to weakness or paralysis of the arms and legs. [healthofchildren.com]

Some people can develop muscle weakness during an acute attack. [patient.info]

Lumbar Disk Herniation

weakness is a limitation. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

In addition to leg pain, the leg may also be weak or numb. One or both legs may be affected. Rarely, bowel or bladder function may be affected. [hss.edu]

Lumbar disk disease causes lower back pain and leg pain and weakness that is made worse by movement and activity. [hopkinsmedicine.org]

Spondylolisthesis

Common symptoms include low back pain, muscle spasms, leg weakness, or limping. [med.virginia.edu]

However, the patient returned 2 months later with both leg weakness and back pain. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

The following are possible evidence of spinal stenosis: Pain or numbness in the back, legs, and/or buttocks Cramping in the legs Weakness in the legs Bowel and/or bladder [dartmouth-hitchcock.org]

Spinal Stenosis

An 80-year-old male presented with a 2-week history of weakness in his left leg. A few days before presentation, his gait had deteriorated quite dramatically. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Symptoms: Leg (neurogenic Intermittent Claudication) Characteristics Leg Fatigue (dullness) or Leg Weakness Leg numbness or Paresthesia s (tingling sensation) Bilateral Leg [fpnotebook.com]

When present, symptoms may include pain or numbness in the back and/or legs, or cramping in the legs. Weakness in the legs may occur. [spine.org]

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Symptoms: Leg (neurogenic Intermittent Claudication) Characteristics Leg Fatigue (dullness) or Leg Weakness Leg numbness or Paresthesia s (tingling sensation) Bilateral Leg [fpnotebook.com]

When present, symptoms may include pain or numbness in the back and/or legs, or cramping in the legs. Weakness in the legs may occur. [spine.org]

Surgery will also be advised for those individuals who develop progressive leg weakness, or bowel and bladder problems. [spine.org]

Sciatica

Symptoms of sciatica may include: Lower back pain Shooting pain down the back of the leg Burning leg and back pain Tingling and numbness of the back or leg Weakness of the [everydayhealth.com]

Get immediate medical care if: You have sudden, severe pain in your low back or leg and numbness or muscle weakness in your leg The pain follows a violent injury, such as [mayoclinic.org]

Lower back pain Pain in the buttocks or leg that is worse when sitting Hip pain Burning or tingling down the leg Weakness, numbness, or difficulty moving the leg or foot A [renuvacenters.com]

Lumbar Radiculopathy

We report the first known case of inferior vena cava thrombosis in a postpartum woman presenting with acute lumbar radiculopathy and weak legs. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

This herniation puts pressure on the spinal nerves, resulting in pain, and numbness in one or both legs. Occasionally, weakness in the leg develops. [orthopedicandfracturespecialists.com]

[…] down the leg Weakness, numbness, or difficulty in moving the leg or foot A constant pain on one side of the posterior A sharp pain that may make it difficult to stand or [nyspineandrehab.com]

Paraparesis

PARAPARESIS Paraparesis refers to bilateral leg weakness. [pediatricneuro.com]

weakness Applies To Paralysis of both lower limbs Paraplegia (lower) ICD-9-CM Volume 2 Index entries containing back-references to 344.1 : [icd9data.com]

On examination, she was found to have severe spasticity and weakness of both legs and feet, bilateral Babinski sign, and bilateral patellar clonus (see video ). [nejm.org]

Myelitis

For example, physical and/or occupational therapy may help with arm or leg weakness. Researchers do not know the long-term outcomes of people with AFM. [medlineplus.gov]

Sudden arm or leg weakness, loss of muscle tone, and loss of reflexes are the most common symptoms. [cdc.gov]

The clinic includes limb and leg weakness, sensory disturbance, bowel and bladder dysfunction, back and radicular pain. [medicoebambino.com]

Bilateral Leg Weakness

What is leg weakness? Leg weakness can occur as part of a generalized feeling of weakness all over your body, or it may develop in one or both legs. [healthgrades.com]

Rarely, cervical cord tumors can initially cause bilateral leg weakness without involvement. [sites.google.com]

Rapid progression of weakness, ascending from legs to the arms and face, or leg weakness with back pain and urinary retention, are indications for urgent referral. [medicinetoday.com.au]

Juvenile Primary Lateral Sclerosis

weakness * Progressive leg stiffness * Balance problems * Progressive arm stiffness * Progressive arm weakness * Slurred speech * Drooling * Difficulty swallowing * Inability [checkorphan.org]

Symptoms of Primary Lateral Sclerosis Stiffness in the legs Weakness in the legs Spasticity in the legs Tripping Difficulty balancing Clumsiness Weakness in the body’s core [spineandsports.com]

Characterized by leg weakness, spasticity, and bulbar symptoms like dysphagia and dysarthria Additional features include cognitive impairment, eye movement abnormalities, [unboundmedicine.com]

Cervical Spinal Cord Tumor

and, later, spastic leg weakness. [merckmanuals.com]

Spinal Tumor Symptoms Symptoms often include neck and back pain, arm or leg weakness or numbness, and change in bowel or bladder habits. [cpmc.org]

Some common signs of spinal tumors may include: Pain (back and/or neck pain, arm and/or leg pain) Muscle weakness or numbness in the arms or legs Difficulty walking General [cancercenter.com]

Primary Lateral Sclerosis

Left leg weakness progressed over 7 years to paraplegia, then quadriplegia by age 68. Sensory and cerebellar function were preserved and fasciculations were absent. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Characterized by leg weakness, spasticity, and bulbar symptoms like dysphagia and dysarthria Additional features include cognitive impairment, eye movement abnormalities, [unboundmedicine.com]

They include: Stiffness, weakness and spasticity in your legs Tripping, difficulty with balance and clumsiness as the leg muscles weaken Weakness and stiffness progressing [mayoclinic.org]

Herniated Disc

Sometimes the surrounding nerves can also become irritated, causing pain, numbness, or weakness in the arms and legs. [weillcornellpainmedicine.com]

Weakness in one or both legs Pain in the front of the thigh Causes Everyday wear and tear can cause the intervertebral discs in your backbone to rupture or herniate over [helpingbacks.com]

[…] to the calf or into the foot (this is from “sciatica,” meaning pressure on the large sciatic nerve in the lower back, buttocks, and legs Muscle weakness in the legs Numbness [weillcornellpainmedicine.com]

Leriche Syndrome

This blocks blood flow to the legs. In men, blood flow to the penis is also blocked. The following symptoms happen: Leg weakness or numbness. [mottchildren.org]

Radiculopathy

Radiculopathy in the sacroiliac, which is the bottom most part of your spine, can also cause pain in your buttocks and the back of yo9ur leg as well as leg weakness and loss [depuysynthes.com]

Symptoms Radiating pain in the arms or legs Localized neck or back pain Numbness and/or tingling sensation in the arms or legs Weakness in arms or legs Loss of reflexes Radiculopathy [medstarhealth.org]

This leads to the following pain and discomfort: Pain and burning in the neck, shoulders, arms and fingers Pain and burning in the low back, buttocks and legs Weakness Numbness [spinemd.com]

Hereditary Proximal Myopathy with Early Respiratory Failure

(Foot drop): 25% Weakness Hands > Legs in most Muscles involved: Long finger extensors; Intrinsic hand; Thumb & index-finger Progression to legs: Toe & ankle extensors Only [neuromuscular.wustl.edu]

Neurologic exam revealed thinning of the anterior legs, bilateral calf hypertrophy, neck flexor and extensor weakness, distal greater than proximal weakness in the legs, and [neurology.org]

For distal leg weakness, use of ankle-foot orthoses can optimize independent ambulation. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Guillain-Barré Syndrome

We describe an elderly woman who developed postinfectious symmetric flaccid leg weakness in the absence of sensory disturbance. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Early symptoms: Weakness or tingling in the legs. Weakness or tingling spreading to the arms and upper body. Increasing fatigue. Loss of reflexes. [my.clevelandclinic.org]

Onset is characterized by lower back, buttock, or leg pain, followed by development of symmetric flaccid limb weakness in the absence of sensory disturbance. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder with Anti-MOG Antibodies