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What Causes Heaviness In Upper Legs When Diagnosed With Osteoarthritis?

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Posted on Wed, 27 May 2015
Question: Hi,
I am 64 year old female. If I sit for more than 30 minutes I have a heaviness in my upper legs and it takes a minute or 2 before I can stand erect and walk without looking like an invalid. I know I have osteoarthritis but would that be the cause? how do I treat this? I am a little over weight but I am exercising a couple of times a week (spinning class) and I am trying to lose the extra lbs.

doctor
Answered by Dr. T Shobha Deepak (28 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Possibly due to disc prolapse

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcare-Magic
Greetings of the day

Dear Ms

Heaviness in legs and difficulty in assuming standing position is likely to be multifactorial in origin. Following could be possible causes

1. Associated Osteoarthritis of knee/hip joint

2. Associated disc prolapse causing compression of L4 nerve( This nerve supplies muscle of front of thighs, so compression may cause some amount of weakness)

3. Associated Overweight/Obesity issue

4. Possibility of postural hypotension is to be ruled out by thorough clinical examination and evaluation by Clinician


I would suggest you the following

1. Proper technique of sleeping

2. Avoid lifting heavy weight

3. Avoid bending at backbone

4. Weight reduction

5. Hot water fomentation to back and thighs

6. Quadriceps muscle strenthening exercise


Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you


Take Care

Best regards
Dr Shobha Deepak
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
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Answered by
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Dr. T Shobha Deepak

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 1774 Questions

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What Causes Heaviness In Upper Legs When Diagnosed With Osteoarthritis?

Brief Answer: Possibly due to disc prolapse Detailed Answer: Hi Welcome to Healthcare-Magic Greetings of the day Dear Ms Heaviness in legs and difficulty in assuming standing position is likely to be multifactorial in origin. Following could be possible causes 1. Associated Osteoarthritis of knee/hip joint 2. Associated disc prolapse causing compression of L4 nerve( This nerve supplies muscle of front of thighs, so compression may cause some amount of weakness) 3. Associated Overweight/Obesity issue 4. Possibility of postural hypotension is to be ruled out by thorough clinical examination and evaluation by Clinician I would suggest you the following 1. Proper technique of sleeping 2. Avoid lifting heavy weight 3. Avoid bending at backbone 4. Weight reduction 5. Hot water fomentation to back and thighs 6. Quadriceps muscle strenthening exercise Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you Take Care Best regards Dr Shobha Deepak