What Causes Weakness And Unsteadiness In The Left Arm And Hand?
Question: What would cause my left arm and hand to be very weak and unsteady?
Brief Answer:
Stroke, local neurological problems
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
localized weakness can be caused by either a local neurological problem (like compression of a motor nerve for example when passing through narrowed interspinous spaces) or a central neurological problem (like stroke). The same applies for unsteadiness. If these symptoms occurred just now, you should visit a neurologist or the ER for immediate assessment. A CT-scan and MRI of the head would exclude most central causes (including stroke, tumors, hemorrhage, etc). MRI of the cervical spine may exclude nerve compression. A less likely cause is neuropathy.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
Kind Regards!
Stroke, local neurological problems
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
localized weakness can be caused by either a local neurological problem (like compression of a motor nerve for example when passing through narrowed interspinous spaces) or a central neurological problem (like stroke). The same applies for unsteadiness. If these symptoms occurred just now, you should visit a neurologist or the ER for immediate assessment. A CT-scan and MRI of the head would exclude most central causes (including stroke, tumors, hemorrhage, etc). MRI of the cervical spine may exclude nerve compression. A less likely cause is neuropathy.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar