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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Obesity Cause Extreme Weakness And Numbness In The Legs?

Hello, I am 33 years old female. I am obese 116kg per 5 7 height with BMI of 39. I have always been big, my BP is normal. Recently when i walk fast though my both legs refuse to walk. As if from below the knies down the whole power was shut off. Even though mentally I want to keep walking at the same pace and keep pushing y legs they just can t. So i need to slow down my walk bog time or even take a break before my legs recover and i can move on. I woul dlike to ask you for a very deep explanation of what could be happening my with legs. My understanding circled 1. lack of appropriate blood flow to the periferal area due to obesity or 2. poor muscle work due to lack of enough amout of oxygen? I would really appreciate a detailed explanation. Thank you so much!
Tue, 5 Mar 2019
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Physical Therapist or Physiotherapist 's  Response
Hello,

As with the history, I understand that there might be nerve entrapment in the lumbar spine region leading to muscle weakness and obesity.

As in obesity, it tends for the spine extensor muscles to become weak and lead to compression over the nerve root and cause symptoms like - tingling, numbness, pain etc.

In obesity, there should be a proper plan of exercise to workout to reduce the excessive fat from the body and also need to avoid any damage to the body.

Having gait abnormalities is common in ageing as due to muscle weakness the body struggles to maintain the correct posture and position of the lumbar spine.

Having an MRI done should help reveal the soft tissue injuries to the lumbar spine. As pain is radiating in nature, it appears to me as lumbar Radiculopathy.

With proper examination and assessment of the muscle, it is possible to plan the therapeutic program and reduce pain so the strength can be gained in the muscles require one.

In my clinical experience, most of the obesity patients have abnormalities in the lumbar spine gets good results with a proper exercise plan.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Jay Indravadan Patel, Physical Therapist or Physiotherapist
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Does Obesity Cause Extreme Weakness And Numbness In The Legs?

Hello, As with the history, I understand that there might be nerve entrapment in the lumbar spine region leading to muscle weakness and obesity. As in obesity, it tends for the spine extensor muscles to become weak and lead to compression over the nerve root and cause symptoms like - tingling, numbness, pain etc. In obesity, there should be a proper plan of exercise to workout to reduce the excessive fat from the body and also need to avoid any damage to the body. Having gait abnormalities is common in ageing as due to muscle weakness the body struggles to maintain the correct posture and position of the lumbar spine. Having an MRI done should help reveal the soft tissue injuries to the lumbar spine. As pain is radiating in nature, it appears to me as lumbar Radiculopathy. With proper examination and assessment of the muscle, it is possible to plan the therapeutic program and reduce pain so the strength can be gained in the muscles require one. In my clinical experience, most of the obesity patients have abnormalities in the lumbar spine gets good results with a proper exercise plan. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care Regards, Jay Indravadan Patel, Physical Therapist or Physiotherapist