What Causes A Sudden Onset Of Weakness In Legs After Recovering From UTI?

Posted on Wed, 17 Jun 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 17 Jun 2015 Answered on

Wed, 15 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Possible causes for sudden onset of weakness in legs, unsteady gait, legs trembling in 92 yo elderly woman?
Recent medical history: recovering from UTI onset ~2.5 weeks ago: Rx with Abx. Saw PCP 6/5/15 - labs Ok - kidney function, UA, but CK was still up at 659 then. PCP is on vacation until tomorrow. Do I need to take her to the ER?
Only other recent change in meds: added low dose of respiridone for dementia started on 5/20/2015

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
spinal injury

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

Sudden onset weakness of the legs is because of a spinal injury, in a 92 year old is most often due to disc prolapse, I strongly recommend that you take her to the ER to prevent permanent damage to the spinal cord

I hope I was of help, please get back to me for any further queries

Regards

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