Muscle weakness in the legs

Definition

A muscle weakness in the legs describes a reduced muscle tension, a quickly tiring musculature or insecurity and weakness in walking. The sensations can be gradual or sudden and vary in intensity. Persistent, increasing muscle weakness should always be clarified by a physician in order to exclude a neurological or muscular disease at an early stage and to identify and treat other causes. The thighs belong to one of the largest muscle groups in the human body and, together with the gluteal muscles, form the most important group for walking and standing upright. If the thighs are affected by muscle weakness, the patient will notice this by an unsteady, unstable gait and difficulty in keeping upright.

Causes of muscle weakness in the legs

Muscle weakness in the legs can have various causes and requires medical clarification, especially if the symptoms and restrictions in everyday life are worsening. There are several possible causes for the symptom muscle weakness. On the one hand, there are neurological causes, including a stroke if it occurs suddenly with other symptoms such as slurred speech or a drooping half of the face.

In multiple sclerosis, a progressive neurological disease, muscle weakness in the legs is also a possible symptom. Other progressive diseases are also possible, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), myasthenia gravis or nerve damage caused by alcoholism and diabetes mellitus, polyneuropathy. Rheumatism can also be a possible cause of muscle weakness in the legs.

In addition to other diseases of the nerves and musculature such as congenital muscular dystrophy, general diseases such as anaemia, hypothyroidism and other metabolic diseases, infections or incorrect nutrition with nutrient deficiency can also be a cause of muscle weakness in the legs. Micro-cracks in the muscles caused by high stress, for example in the form of sport, can also lead to muscle soreness and temporary muscle weakness. Hashimoto’s disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism.

It is an autoimmune disease associated with chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland. The hypothyroidism results in a variety of complaints. These include increased sensitivity to cold, constipation and digestive disorders, water retention, a slower heartbeat, fatigue or concentration problems, as well as psychological symptoms such as depressive moods and listlessness.

Muscle weakness can also occur in the context of Hashimoto. The hypothyroidism can be counteracted by a lifelong administration of thyroid hormone. Blood values must be checked regularly and the dose adjusted if necessary.

Muscle weakness can develop slowly or occur suddenly, depending on the underlying cause. One of the causes of sudden muscle weakness is a stroke, for example. A herniated disc or circulatory problems such as arterial occlusive disease are also possible.

A sudden appearance of muscle weakness in chronic progressive diseases such as multiple sclerosis or ALS is rather unusual and the muscle weakness usually develops insidiously, but can also occur. The sciatic nerve, often called sciatica, is the strongest nerve in the human body. If it is injured, for example by fractures, or irritated by a herniated disc, it can cause severe pain.

It extends from the lower back to the buttocks into the leg and can severely restrict the affected person. In addition to pain, there may also be tingling sensations or a feeling of weakness in the muscles. Sciatica complaints should be clarified by a doctor to identify the cause.

Physiotherapy and exercise as well as relaxation exercises and applications can provide relief. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, progressive inflammatory nerve disease. It leads to destruction of the medullary sheaths that insulate the nerves.

The causes of the disease are not yet known and there is currently no therapy to cure it. The first symptoms appear in early adulthood and are dependent on the affected marrow marrow marrow.Possible symptoms of multiple sclerosis are, for example, visual disturbances, swallowing disorders, speech disorders but also sensitivity disorders. If the motor system is affected, muscle weakness, for example in the legs, can occur, as well as spasticity.