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What Causes Weak Left Leg In A Diabetic Patient?
Question: Hi,My problem is my left leg is very weak. I have exercised to strengthen the muscles in the last 10 months or so without much progress. I had mri tests on brain and spine. No problems there. My neulologist said some nerves are damaged due to more likely by diabetis. According to my primary doctor my sugar level is pretty much in control. I don't take any medicine for it,either.
I am a 78 year old Japanese female. I wish I can get rid of this weakness feeling in my left leg. When I excercise , sometimes it gets worse. It is not easy,I think, you can help me without my medical records, I am frustrated.
Please give me your advice.
I am a 78 year old Japanese female. I wish I can get rid of this weakness feeling in my left leg. When I excercise , sometimes it gets worse. It is not easy,I think, you can help me without my medical records, I am frustrated.
Please give me your advice.
Brief Answer:
There is need for nerve conduction study ( ENMG).
Detailed Answer:
Hi, I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Diabetic neuropathy mentioned by your Doctor is a possibility of your concern, but it usually happens in both legs and maybe hands and arms.
If there was nothing at vertebral and cerebral MRI, then there is one thing left to discuss yet, besides diabetic neuropathy.
In my opinion you need to be checked for peripheral nerve entrapment syndrome that may cause your muscles weakness especially when the problem is only in one limb.
There is need for a nerve conduction study of your left leg ( ENMG) to be done.
Another less possible cause may be narrowed blood vessels of your leg by atherosclerosis, and a Doppler ultrasound of your vessels may be needed to evaluate that possibility.
Treatment should be clear after the cause is assessed correctly.
Hope this answers your question. If you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.
There is need for nerve conduction study ( ENMG).
Detailed Answer:
Hi, I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Diabetic neuropathy mentioned by your Doctor is a possibility of your concern, but it usually happens in both legs and maybe hands and arms.
If there was nothing at vertebral and cerebral MRI, then there is one thing left to discuss yet, besides diabetic neuropathy.
In my opinion you need to be checked for peripheral nerve entrapment syndrome that may cause your muscles weakness especially when the problem is only in one limb.
There is need for a nerve conduction study of your left leg ( ENMG) to be done.
Another less possible cause may be narrowed blood vessels of your leg by atherosclerosis, and a Doppler ultrasound of your vessels may be needed to evaluate that possibility.
Treatment should be clear after the cause is assessed correctly.
Hope this answers your question. If you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Dear Dr.,
Thank you so much for your reply. I did have ENMG done. The findings of very small
pripheral nerve injury in the left leg. It is not that bad at all.
Diabetes is the most likely cause , Dr. wrote.
The reason I wrote to you because i find it very hard to believe the weakness
was caused by diabetes plus nothing happenes after more than 10 months of exercises (faithfully).
I think your last diagnosis is what I have. I have very small veins all over my body. That really makes sense to me. I have no pain, the condition never
changes even after exercises plus therapy. I am going to ask my neulologist
about this possibility. I don't think I can do anything about my blood vessels,
but I feel this is really the cause now.
Thank you so much for your great analysis.
Thank you so much for your reply. I did have ENMG done. The findings of very small
pripheral nerve injury in the left leg. It is not that bad at all.
Diabetes is the most likely cause , Dr. wrote.
The reason I wrote to you because i find it very hard to believe the weakness
was caused by diabetes plus nothing happenes after more than 10 months of exercises (faithfully).
I think your last diagnosis is what I have. I have very small veins all over my body. That really makes sense to me. I have no pain, the condition never
changes even after exercises plus therapy. I am going to ask my neulologist
about this possibility. I don't think I can do anything about my blood vessels,
but I feel this is really the cause now.
Thank you so much for your great analysis.
Brief Answer:
Thanks for kind words.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
Thank you for the kind words.
Wishing you good health.
Thanks for kind words.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
Thank you for the kind words.
Wishing you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Dr. Erion Spano,'
After I received your answer, I saw my neulorogist. His diagnosis was the same as before. Some nerves are damaged caused
by diabetis. It will take a long time to heal. As I mentioned before my sugar level is pretty much under control The weakness is
only in my left leg. He tested the strength of my leg and found it is much stronger than 3 months prior to the last testing.
What I am finding is rather strange is the more i excercise the weaker my left leg feels. Sometimes I have hard time lifting
my foot. Very weird feeling, though the leg is getting stronger, according to the test.
Is there anything you can think of why is this happening to me?
I have been exercising more than 10 months now.
Thank you,
XXXXXX
After I received your answer, I saw my neulorogist. His diagnosis was the same as before. Some nerves are damaged caused
by diabetis. It will take a long time to heal. As I mentioned before my sugar level is pretty much under control The weakness is
only in my left leg. He tested the strength of my leg and found it is much stronger than 3 months prior to the last testing.
What I am finding is rather strange is the more i excercise the weaker my left leg feels. Sometimes I have hard time lifting
my foot. Very weird feeling, though the leg is getting stronger, according to the test.
Is there anything you can think of why is this happening to me?
I have been exercising more than 10 months now.
Thank you,
XXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Differentiated physical therapy could help.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again XXXXXX.
If the test showed a stronger leg than before, this is a good thing.
Maybe you feel your leg weaker than the other one.
It is possible that the unaffected leg during exercises advanced more than affected one, so there is a notable difference.
I think you should have a differentiated physical therapy and exercises of your affected leg, leaving the unaffected one in its normal activity and will see how it is going.
Another thing we discussed before is any vascular condition of your leg.
A Doppler ultrasound of blood vessels is needed to evaluate this possibility.
Wishing you good health.
Differentiated physical therapy could help.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again XXXXXX.
If the test showed a stronger leg than before, this is a good thing.
Maybe you feel your leg weaker than the other one.
It is possible that the unaffected leg during exercises advanced more than affected one, so there is a notable difference.
I think you should have a differentiated physical therapy and exercises of your affected leg, leaving the unaffected one in its normal activity and will see how it is going.
Another thing we discussed before is any vascular condition of your leg.
A Doppler ultrasound of blood vessels is needed to evaluate this possibility.
Wishing you good health.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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