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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Weakness In The Hands And Legs?

Hi, My step Dad has been suffering with back and hip pain for over 15 years, for the last 10 years he has lost a huge amount of his dexterity in his hands and wrist and is now losing control of his legs. He is 80 now and the doctors say his heart and lungs are in good shape. His family Dr has told him there is nothing further that can be done. He has been told he has Alzheimer or Dementia but other than an occasional lost of thought he still is fairly sharp, he know his finances and remembers where things are located even though he has not used in 10 years. My question is what should we be looking for as far as condition and treatment
Fri, 29 Jun 2018
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

Causes of your difficulties may be neuropathy or ischemic issues. Neuropathic are seen in diabetics or injury of spine nerves.
If this is not your case then these symptoms are indicating circulatory problems in legs which are common in this age and there may be present atherosclerosis that obstructs blood vessels and causes pain and blisters to form.
You should do Doppler ultrasound of the leg or CT angiography to rule out such obstructive changes and then it can be treated properly by medications or by surgical and radiological procedures. Also, you should have Aspirin and have elastic stockings applied, and should avoid cold environment and long walks. In most cases it can be managed with medications but sometimes surgery may be required in severe cases.

Kindly regards.
Wish you a good health.
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What Causes Weakness In The Hands And Legs?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. Causes of your difficulties may be neuropathy or ischemic issues. Neuropathic are seen in diabetics or injury of spine nerves. If this is not your case then these symptoms are indicating circulatory problems in legs which are common in this age and there may be present atherosclerosis that obstructs blood vessels and causes pain and blisters to form. You should do Doppler ultrasound of the leg or CT angiography to rule out such obstructive changes and then it can be treated properly by medications or by surgical and radiological procedures. Also, you should have Aspirin and have elastic stockings applied, and should avoid cold environment and long walks. In most cases it can be managed with medications but sometimes surgery may be required in severe cases. Kindly regards. Wish you a good health.