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What Causes Weak Reflexes On One Side Of Body?
Question: My son recently went to a pain control specialist. He checked him out thoroughly. Upon doing so, he found that my son's reflexes are very weak on his left side. I know you can't give a definitive answer unless you examine him but, do you have any idea what could be causing that. My son is 25 years old.
Brief Answer:
yes, would have to examine him
Detailed Answer:
Reflexes are one particular part of the nervous system. They are not carried by special nerves nor in special nerve structures. It's like having ONE channel dropped on the cable box. Can't be the wires to the neighborhood being down... has to be a very small specific problem.. mostly it's because you hit the wrong buttons on the controller. Likewise this is mostly the judgement is a bit off by the examiner. In this case, it is 90% likely the patient is right handed, stronger on the right, and the left reflexes are weaker because the muscle on the non=dominant side are, indeed, weaker.
That's if it is the ENTIRE side.
If it is just one limb, then, it's still the overall weakness, BUT then, it is likely due to the nerve problem that is causing the pain. We always examine that in lumbar or cervical disk disease. .. weakness in the leg or in the neck/arms. It's a serious sign and supports a need for surgery to relieve the compression.
yes, would have to examine him
Detailed Answer:
Reflexes are one particular part of the nervous system. They are not carried by special nerves nor in special nerve structures. It's like having ONE channel dropped on the cable box. Can't be the wires to the neighborhood being down... has to be a very small specific problem.. mostly it's because you hit the wrong buttons on the controller. Likewise this is mostly the judgement is a bit off by the examiner. In this case, it is 90% likely the patient is right handed, stronger on the right, and the left reflexes are weaker because the muscle on the non=dominant side are, indeed, weaker.
That's if it is the ENTIRE side.
If it is just one limb, then, it's still the overall weakness, BUT then, it is likely due to the nerve problem that is causing the pain. We always examine that in lumbar or cervical disk disease. .. weakness in the leg or in the neck/arms. It's a serious sign and supports a need for surgery to relieve the compression.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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