Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Weakness In Limbs Along With Tingling And Numbness?
Question: I am a 72 year old woman; I have experienced pain and weakness only in my right leg. They took xrays of my hip,knee and ankle; I saw orthopedic doctors and they said I had NO bone-on-bone areas. They did an MRI of my spine; that doctor said I have minor stenosis, but not anything that should require surgery etc. The pain is NOT in the joints, it is in the muscle that supports the leg. My leg just gives out. I saw a neurologist who sent me for physical therapy for six weeks;guessing I had tendonitis. this did not help. He did the nerve conduction tests and said my nerves appear ok. I have a prescription for diclofenac with misoprostol; this takes the edge off of the severe pain but doesn't make the weakness go away. I started November of 2013 trying to get this diagnosed between waiting for appointments etc. and the office visits I have had, it is now one year later and I still do not have a diagnosis. I have been hobbling around with the use of a cane; without it, I could end up on the ground when the leg gives out. About a week or so ago I got a hot burning pain across the upper part of my thigh where it attaches to the body and bends when you sit. It felt as though a hot knife was cutting the tissue then I got a numb tingling feeling (as if I had novacaine in it) This lasted 3+ days. I am at my wits' end trying to get a diagnosis in hopes I will be able to resume normal walking some day. HELP!!!!! XXXXXX XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
? Myeloradiculopathy
Detailed Answer:
Good evening
Thank you for writing on health care magic
I have gone through your history. I understand the distress you are in especially when the diagnosis is not certain yet. Well considering the weakness in your limbs along with the symptoms of tingling and numbness you are experiencing, it does go in favor of spine problem. The weakness in only one side of the body, persisting for so long is a bit unusual. Probably that is the reason there has been a delay in diagnosis. One sided lesion can be either due to nerve/muscle/spine compression. Since your nerves have been looked into, it is unlikely to be the cause of the symptoms. Muscle involvement normally wont cause these symptoms of tingling and numbness and would have progressed to involve the other side of the body as well.
I still feel the culprit lies in the spine. You need to consult your doctors and get a repeat MRI done. There is a possibility of it compressing the nerves which radiate down to the leg causing symptoms of tingling and numbness along with weakness( it is known as Myeloradiculopathy). Spine involvement on one side can cause the symptoms you are increasing. Since the last MRI was done an year back, it is worthwhile repeating it again.
You should consult your physiotherapist and work on making your muscles stronger so it doesn't give way.
Do let me know for your further queries. I would be happy to help you out
Regards
Dr naval
? Myeloradiculopathy
Detailed Answer:
Good evening
Thank you for writing on health care magic
I have gone through your history. I understand the distress you are in especially when the diagnosis is not certain yet. Well considering the weakness in your limbs along with the symptoms of tingling and numbness you are experiencing, it does go in favor of spine problem. The weakness in only one side of the body, persisting for so long is a bit unusual. Probably that is the reason there has been a delay in diagnosis. One sided lesion can be either due to nerve/muscle/spine compression. Since your nerves have been looked into, it is unlikely to be the cause of the symptoms. Muscle involvement normally wont cause these symptoms of tingling and numbness and would have progressed to involve the other side of the body as well.
I still feel the culprit lies in the spine. You need to consult your doctors and get a repeat MRI done. There is a possibility of it compressing the nerves which radiate down to the leg causing symptoms of tingling and numbness along with weakness( it is known as Myeloradiculopathy). Spine involvement on one side can cause the symptoms you are increasing. Since the last MRI was done an year back, it is worthwhile repeating it again.
You should consult your physiotherapist and work on making your muscles stronger so it doesn't give way.
Do let me know for your further queries. I would be happy to help you out
Regards
Dr naval
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
