What Causes Weakness In Leg Despite Having Normal CT Scan And Blood Tests?

Posted on Wed, 18 May 2016

Question: My Dad has weakness in one leg and when he tries to stand unaided he falls. He has literally gone overnight from a normal walking person to using a zimmer frame and aides by one person to walk. Bood tests CT scan have all been reported as normal. He has had a hospital stay with many tests and all tests are normal. Any ideas please my dad is only 68 and I hope he can get his mobility back and drive again. The falls worry me as he keeps hurting himself. He saya his leg aches its only his left leg feels weak examination shows power 4/5. He can sit and move leg on his own his thigh is tender like muscular ands says his knee feel like it gives way but not sure if it is his knee or leg he cant pinpoint it. Knee xray shows mild osteoarthritis nil else and doppler scan is entirely normal. Physio is not helping. Please please help I just want my dad back what else can I do? Stroke has been ruled out

My dad for many years has been on Propranolol he was on them for 10 years plus. GP just took him off them as dad was having blood.pressure problems. Do you think this could be the problem and if so if he restarted them would he gain his legs back?

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
MRI of lower spine and Neurologist's opinion.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history.
As you have put in the history so well along with the normal tests of blood and CT scan with proper history related to the left leg I would think of the following and the investigations and management as follows.
- MRI of the lower spine as there may be a disc problem or the problems related to the nerves.
- An opinion of a Neurologist.
- Physiotherapy/acupressure must be continued.
- Proper medical management of the conditions for blood pressure problems and any other medical problems that he has.
I hope this answer help your Father to get a proper diagnosis, which is the most important part of any treatment and then only the treatment can be planned in a proper and effective way.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (28 minutes later)

I am panicking you dont think its something like MND do you? Do you think his mobility can come back its just a rough time at the moment and do you think it can be stopping the proponallol or not really. I am clutching at straws because my dad is a driver and he cant drive. I am so upset seeing my dad like this
Thank you I know you didnt say MND it was me who was worried it maybe MND

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Go for earliest properdiagnosis

Detailed Answer:
I did not say MND.
Get a proper consultation of the Specialist and MRI of the lower spine, It may be related to say, may be a prolapsed disc or compression ny other factors and are treatable in some cases.
Try to get these at the earliest and get the most proper diagnosis and treatment.
This may not be related to Propranolol.
Please get the diagnosis at the earliest as this alone helps for proper management of the problems.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar