Leg Weakness: Causes & Reasons

Possible Causes for Leg Weakness

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]

The combination of a foot deformity and lower leg weakness is often the first sign of CMT. [choc.org]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

There was facial weakness and moderate arm and leg weakness (Medical Research Council scale score, 3+ for arms and 4 for legs), with exaggerated deep tendon reflexes and the [jamanetwork.com]

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder with Anti-AQP4 Antibodies

These symptoms may include: eye pain loss of vision colours appearing faded or less vivid weakness in the arms and legs pain in the arms or legs – described as sharp, burning [nhs.uk]

It can also include pain or discomfort along neck, back or abdomen, or cause area postrema syndrome Eye pain and vision impairment/loss Muscle weakness in the arms and legs [chordtherapeutics.com]

Symptoms Common symptoms of NMOSD may include: Eye pain Loss of vision Weakness in the upper and lower extremities (arms and legs) Paralysis of the upper and lower extremities [verywellhealth.com]

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]

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]

Late-Onset Pompe Disease

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

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]

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]

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. [web.archive.org]

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]

Constant pain, leg weakness, or loss of function requires further evaluation. [spineuniverse.com]

Spondylolisthesis

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

Symptoms of isthmic spondylolisthesis may include: Low back pain Sciatica Muscle spasms Leg weakness Tight hamstring muscles Irregular gait or limp Causes of Isthmic Spondylolisthesis [uvahealth.com]

Adults frequently have leg pain, numbness, and/or weakness (sciatica, radiculitis, or radiculopathy) while children rarely have leg symptoms. [uscspine.com]

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. [knowyourback.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. [knowyourback.org]

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

Sciatica

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]

Seek immediate medical attention if you have: Loss of feeling in the affected leg Weakness in the affected leg Loss of bowel or bladder function Prevention It's not always [mayoclinic.org]

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]

Bilateral Leg Weakness

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

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]

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]

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]

Almost all patients develop leg weakness. The arms are involved in a minority of cases. (This depends upon the level of spinal cord involvement.) [medicinenet.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]

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. [awog.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]

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder with Anti-MOG Antibodies

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]

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]

Distal Myopathy Type 3

The most common clinical presentation is proximal weakness in the legs, and distal weakness in the arms. [neuroweb.us]

[…] become weak Proximal legs may become weak late in disease Quadriceps weak in rare male Many remain ambulatory Earlier onset (2nd decade) may lose ambulation in 3rd to 6th [neuromuscular.wustl.edu]

Cauda Equina Syndrome

It can cause pain in the lower back and/or legs, weakness in one or both legs, numbness in the buttocks, between inner thighs/in or around your back passage (the ‘saddle region [cic.circlehealthgroup.co.uk]

weakness but not routine clinical features differentiated the two groups (p KEYWORDS: aetiology; cauda equina syndrome; functional disorders; urinary retention [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

An individual might experience weakness or paralysis in the leg or foot, especially when getting up out of a chair. [mayfieldclinic.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]

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]