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Neurology (Expert Forum)
follow up to muscle contractions and muscle stiffness
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follow up to muscle contractions and muscle stiffness
by lizbeth219, Apr 04, 2002 12:00AM
I POSTED A FEW DAYS AGO ABOUT SPASTISITY IN MY LEGS AND YOU SAID IT SHOULD SHOW UP OBJECTIVLY IN A NEURO EXAM- ON TUESDAY I HAD MY REFLEXES IN MY KNEES CHECKED, BABINSKI SIGN, FEET PUSHED UP TO CHECK FOR CLONUS, STRENGHT TESTS, DR FELT MY LEGS, THEN HAD THEM FLAT AND WAS KIND OF BOUNCING THEM WITH HIS HAND, SAID I WAS FINE if i had spasticity should he have found it doing all that------BUT MY LEGS ARE STILL STIFF AND IT IS HARDER TO WALK- ---AGAIN CAN I ask for your comment- could it be anxiety that is what the neuro orginally diagnozed.
Thank you
Thank you
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT, Apr 08, 2002 12:00AM
I'm glad that everything looked ok on your neuro exam. As I did not personally perform the exam, however, I cannot definitively say that you don't have spasticity. Although you don't necessarily need clonus, babinki's sign, and brisk reflexes all at once to make an absolute diagnosis, there should be some sign of spasticity like increased muscle tone on the exam. Anxiety is always a possibility, but I always hesitate to make this diagnosis unless I am confident that I have explored every possible avenue based on my clinical exam and suspicion for an underlying neurological disease. Is it possible that these are cramps than stiffness? Cramps would NOT show up with signs of spasticity on exam and can sometimes cause intermittent stiffness. Objectively they can be seen on an EMG. Just a thought. Finally, if the symptoms get worse or continue your ability to walk, consider a second opinion at a neuromuscular center. Good luck.
I am sorry to hear about the trouble that you are having walking, but your symptoms sound all too familiar to me. My symptoms started much the same way and I have learned that there can be many many reasons for the problems that you are experiencing. My problem with walking started 11/96 and has just been diagnoised as Primary Lateral Sclerosis(PLS). Over the years I have seen many doctors and they have excluded one by one all the other possible causes for my problem. My symptoms have also continued to progess over the years and this has helped the doctors pinpoint my problem. I would suggest to you that you do a search on google for PLS and this will give you many websites that address the problem, but more importantly they also list other possible causes for your problem and not just focus on PLS. I have also learned that not all doctors are created equal!! Do not be afraid to look around and open your mouth. After all it is your body and you are the paying customer. I hope they find a real fast and simple answer for your problem. Good Luck