What Causes Weakness In Left Leg When Diagnosed With Osteoarthritis?

Posted on Tue, 17 May 2016

Question: My Dad has weakness in one leg and when he tries to stand unaided he falls. He has literally gone overnight from a normal walking person to using a zimmer frame and aides by one person to walk. Bood tests CT scan have all been reported as normal. He has had a hospital stay with many tests and all tests are normal. Any ideas please my dad is only 68 and I hope he can get his mobility back and drive again. The falls worry me as he keeps hurting himself. He saya his leg aches its only his left leg feels weak examination shows power 4/5. He can sit and move leg on his own his thigh is tender like muscular ands says his knee feel like it gives way but not sure if it is his knee or leg he cant pinpoint it. Knee xray shows mild osteoarthritis nil else and doppler scan is entirely normal. Physio is not helping. Please please help I just want my dad back what else can I do? Stroke has been ruled out

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Need to establish diagnosis ma'am, how come the doctors haven't done that?

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again XXXXXXX

From our last discussion, I remember you and your fathers team of doctor attributing the weakness to a stroke; but in this query you have mentioned that a stroke has been ruled out?

The role of physiotherapy can be questioned by many, but it does help, although the contribution is seen on the long-run and not immediately, so when it comes to physiotherapy, the results are seen over time, and not over time, sadly.

Ma'am, as I am a little confused about the established diagnosis I am not sure how to comment accurately, but I would like to seriously request for the following investigations:

+Spinal tap
+Nerve conduction studies
+Electromyography
+CT or MRI of your brain
+Carotid ultrasound

These tests will help rule out/confirm a stroke, and also help in finding the diagnosis. Once the cause is established we can direct treatment in a more accurate manner ma'am. If these investigations or any of them were conducted, please do write to me with the results or attach the results to our discussion here; or email them to me at:

YYYY@YYYY

and please mention 'ATTN: Dr. Shoaib Khan' in the subject line.

I look forward to hearing from you in order to help you further.

Best wishes.

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

Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (36 minutes later)

The Occupational Therapist and Physio say Dad is not a stroke from assessment. CT scan is normal. Carotid scan normal. MRI scan normal. All hospital concentrated on was a stroke and I think he be discharged as they dont know what is wrong. It isnt MND is it

If it is peripheral neuropathy (motor) can this be reversed and if so how? Can acupuncture help?

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Main approach: Diagnosis, medication, and physiotherapy for now

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.

A MND should have been diagnosed with the help of an MRI and the blood samples that were taken. So we should be able to rule out all MND's.

In all honesty, a peripheral neuropathy prognosis depends on the causative factor. As there are many causes that can result in peripheral neuropathy, most of which just require discontinuation of the causative factor (e.g. alcohol, certain medication, toxins, etc.), some causative factors include traumatic injuries, degradation over time, etc; which can be addressed by preventing progression but not always results in complete return to normal (pre-peripheral neuropathy) state.

Acupuncture has shown some level of promise, but can only help in a very small (mostly negligible) way with current methods of acupuncture. I hope this information helps, please do not hesitate to write to me, I am always here to help you ma'am.

Best wishes.

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