Whats up with my legs??

[mistylee]

When I spend an hour gardening or walking I;ve usually overdone it and my legs feel tired, achy and like jelly. Just lately when they are tired , the muscles from the knees down bulge out and feel tight.

When you look at them they look like body builders legs?? Is this spasticity?? or spasms??

It was only happening on the right side and top of right foot but now it is in the left as well. i have felt once my knee cap pulled out of line briefly as well.

It is an unusual sight.  I look like i workout every day, at least from the knee down lol!!  Any ideas??

Mistylee

[Quixotic1]

A lot of people with spasticity complain that their limbs feel stiff and they feel the constant need to pull against it.  Spasticity does not change the sensation from the skin, so that would be a different issue, though weakness, spasticity and altered sensation often occur together.

Using muscles that have some spasticity in them can result in rapid fatigue or in pain like you describe.  When the spasticity is mild, it may be hard to detect on exam, but it certainly does make a mess of exercise.  Another kind of pain that can occur with spasticity is prolonged and very painful spasms - knotting up of the muscles that have the increased tone and pull.  See

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple%20Sclerosis/Muscle-Tone-And-Spasticity/show/159?cid=36

Hope this helps.  BTW - the switch might be a good idea??!! lol

Quix

[Joe79]

This is a good one for me.  I've been trying to work this out about my right leg.  Both legs feel stiff and if standing a long time I just feel like I have to constantly stretch them and kick my legs backwards at the knees.  My right leg often feels dull at the knee or just above, not numb but dull to the touch, especially when sitting.  When I start hiking they began to ache really quick, not hurt just ache.  My right leg has been feeling like from the knee down or about half way down my calf to my ankle and foot it is trying to turn inward.  It is not turning inward as far as I can tell but it feels like it wants to turn inward.  Maybe spacticity then!

Been single for a long time, maybe they can install an on/off switch for my upper body!?!?

[Quixotic1]

You would discuss when the wear a brace with the PT and your neuro.

Q

[mistylee]

Oh thanks quix!!  ok i will talk to the new neuro i am seeing on the 17th Dec about it and see if I can get a referral to a physio.

if the foot drop is not there all the time would a brace be worn all the time or only when the foot is playing up??

Thanks again
Mistylee

[Quixotic1]

This does sound like spasticity.  You are describing it perfectly.  You need to get a referral to phsycial therapy for evaluation and learn how to stretch these muscles appropriately.

Since you have foot drop from the "pulling" you may benefit from a brace that keeps your toes up and stops the tripping.  A brce can lessen the work of walking and allow you to walk longer with less fatigue.  It certainly did with me.

Quix

[mistylee]

Forgot to mention that the right foot is hard to pull up when walking and tends to turn inwards so I tend to either trip myself or have to lift foot higher to step.

It often feels stiff.  I cant work out if this might be spasticity. If it is it would be mild as it is not painful , it just aches. It does affect my walking and tires my lower legs and right foot out. the more tired the muscles get , the harder it is to pull my toes up.

Please help.   What can be done about this??

Mistylee