Diagnostics

Paralysis symptoms in the leg should primarily be clarified neurologically. With the help of the physical, neurological examination, which includes the determination of a reflex status, the physician can determine the cause and origin of the paralysis and initiate further diagnostic steps. Imaging procedures such as CT or MRT are often used here. If it is suspected that the peripheral nerves are responsible for the paralysis symptoms, an examination of the nerve conduction velocity can be helpful. In addition, if the suspicion is well-founded, a muscle biopsy (taking a sample) should also be performed to rule out the possibility of muscular disease.

Associated symptoms

All causes are connected by the main symptom of paralysis in the leg, which leads to the loss of the ability to move the leg voluntarily, resulting in a loss of strength and even gait problems or even complete paralysis of the leg. This is often accompanied by a loss of skin sensitivity, which affects the sense of touch, the perception of temperature and also the perception of vibration. If the paralysis of the leg means that the corresponding musculature is no longer being used, a so-called atrophy results, i.e. a reduction in muscle mass, as a result of which the leg appears thin in relation to the muscles used and is called stork leg.

If a stroke is responsible for the paralysis, it usually affects only one half of the body and is often accompanied by paralysis of the equilateral arm and facial muscles, which manifests itself in weakness in the arm and a drooping corner of the mouth.If a complete paraplegia is present, both legs are affected by the paralysis and, depending on the height of the spinal cord injury, other parts of the body, such as the arms, are also affected. In addition, the cross-sectional symptoms affecting the legs usually include incontinence and, in the acute phase, loss of muscle reflexes. Accompanying symptoms of a herniated disc are often severe back pain, which can radiate into the legs and, depending on the severity, even bladder and rectum function can be disturbed.

In addition, the muscle reflexes can be weakened compared to the other side not affected by the paralysis, which a doctor can determine in a neurological examination. If paralysis occurs on only one side of the leg, the possible causes can be a stroke, but also damage to the nerve that supplies the corresponding leg with motor power. Whether the paralysis occurs on the right or left side is important for the exact localization of the damage. If paralysis occurs on both legs, this is more likely to indicate damage in the area of the spinal cord or a pathophysiological mechanism, e.g. a muscle disease, which is generalized and cannot be assigned to a specific place of origin. The differentiation of paralysis according to the affected leg thus plays an important role, especially diagnostically.