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What Causes Sudden Numbness In Right Leg?
Question: about a week ago I was walking to the copier at work and my right leg suddenly went numb. This happen one other time about 2 hours later. I describe it like my whole leg fell asleep. I have also lost some mobility in my right arm and it tingles and is numb. I cannot grasp things anymore with my hand and I have lost mobility in my arm and wrist. My pinky finger just hangs there and I have no feeling in it. I do have slightly elevated cholesterol and I have been a smoker off and on for about 30 years. I am 50 years old and do not live anywhere near a stress free life. I work 3rd shift after being fired from a job 1-1/2 years ago. I am going thru a separation...my 2rd and I just sent my youngest daughter off to college to go into the medical field. I have my oldest daughter, 25 back living with me with a 6 month old baby and a 3 year old. she is in college also as a political science major. she has 1 more year to go. this medical condition concerns me since I am only 50 and to young to retire and I need mobility in my hands and arm to work my job as an industrial machinery mechanic. what could be going wrong with me? Could I possibly have had a small stroke? I understand heart attacks and strokes usually affect the left side of the body and not the right side. Please advise me on what could be going on and what I might do to get mobility back in my right side arm and hand
Brief Answer:
Stroke is a possibility.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
The answer to your question is yes, it could be a stroke, a minor one, since your consciousness wasn't affected.
This is supported by sudden start of symptoms and presence of risk factors such age, high cholesterol, stress, smoking.
Stroke affects both sides of the body almost equally.
Another possibility as a cause your symptoms is herniated disc disease of the neck, or pinched nerve (s).
You need to discuss with your primary care Doctor about having done a complete check up about these two conditions with brain and spinal MRI, blood tests and heart function work up about high blood pressure, any heart arythmia etc.
First there's need to discover the cause of your concerns, after that can be discussed about treatment.
Hope you found the answer helpful. Take care.
Stroke is a possibility.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
The answer to your question is yes, it could be a stroke, a minor one, since your consciousness wasn't affected.
This is supported by sudden start of symptoms and presence of risk factors such age, high cholesterol, stress, smoking.
Stroke affects both sides of the body almost equally.
Another possibility as a cause your symptoms is herniated disc disease of the neck, or pinched nerve (s).
You need to discuss with your primary care Doctor about having done a complete check up about these two conditions with brain and spinal MRI, blood tests and heart function work up about high blood pressure, any heart arythmia etc.
First there's need to discover the cause of your concerns, after that can be discussed about treatment.
Hope you found the answer helpful. Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
Could this problem also be caused by arthritis of my wrist? I was told by my old primary care physician that I had onset of arthritis. does arthritis set in and affect the muscle movement of the fingers, wrist, and arm?
Brief Answer:
Neck conditions including arthrosis could cause your symptoms too.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
As I mentioned before, cervical ( neck ) conditions such herniated disc disease, or arthritis of cervical spine that may compress nerves that supply the arm could cause your symptoms too.
Imaging is important in your case, to determine the diagnosis.
Hope I helped you. Best regards.
Neck conditions including arthrosis could cause your symptoms too.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
As I mentioned before, cervical ( neck ) conditions such herniated disc disease, or arthritis of cervical spine that may compress nerves that supply the arm could cause your symptoms too.
Imaging is important in your case, to determine the diagnosis.
Hope I helped you. Best regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Dr. Spaho: Thank you for your exert advice. I haven't referred back to you because today is the 1st day after I was released from the hospital. I was diagnosed as having a stroke, just as you thought. I was admitted in XXXXXXX Regional Hospital
in XXXXXXX NC on Sunday Sept 6th. My test results after 2 CT scans, an ultra sound, as well as 2 MRI scans is that I had a stroke caused by a 95% blockage of BOTH my arteries going to my brain as well as a minor blockage of the Arteries in the back of my neck going to my spine. I have a consultation with my primary physician on Monday Sept 14, and with a neurosurgeon on Wed Sept 16. I am looking to have 2 surgeries in the very near future to "clean out" the blockage in each side of my arteries and even the ones in my neck going to my spine. I am concerned about the surgeries and want to know what you think is the % of not "stroking" on the operating table and having a full recovery? I would like to keep you informed of my progress as well as the process. Thank you for your expert advise, after speaking with you is why I decided to go get checked out and the Dr at the hospital says it was just a matter of time before my arteries fully closed up and I was a total loss.
in XXXXXXX NC on Sunday Sept 6th. My test results after 2 CT scans, an ultra sound, as well as 2 MRI scans is that I had a stroke caused by a 95% blockage of BOTH my arteries going to my brain as well as a minor blockage of the Arteries in the back of my neck going to my spine. I have a consultation with my primary physician on Monday Sept 14, and with a neurosurgeon on Wed Sept 16. I am looking to have 2 surgeries in the very near future to "clean out" the blockage in each side of my arteries and even the ones in my neck going to my spine. I am concerned about the surgeries and want to know what you think is the % of not "stroking" on the operating table and having a full recovery? I would like to keep you informed of my progress as well as the process. Thank you for your expert advise, after speaking with you is why I decided to go get checked out and the Dr at the hospital says it was just a matter of time before my arteries fully closed up and I was a total loss.
Brief Answer:
Risk of complications very low, but still present.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back XXXXXXX
I'm happy that I helped you.
Surgery to remove atherosclerotic plaques is indispensable in your case, since occlusion is too high.
The surgical procedure isn't among most difficult ones, and in experienced hands above 95% of patients do well.
The risk of complications including stroke during surgical procedure is very low but still present.
Best regards. Do keep in touch.
Risk of complications very low, but still present.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back XXXXXXX
I'm happy that I helped you.
Surgery to remove atherosclerotic plaques is indispensable in your case, since occlusion is too high.
The surgical procedure isn't among most difficult ones, and in experienced hands above 95% of patients do well.
The risk of complications including stroke during surgical procedure is very low but still present.
Best regards. Do keep in touch.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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