Leg pain/weakness

    
      Re: Leg pain/weakness
    


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Posted by ccf neuro M.D. on April 28, 1997 at 22:10:26:

In Reply to: Leg pain/weakness posted by John Anthony on April 20, 1997 at 21:25:20:

: I am having a problem with upper leg (hip area) pain
  and weakness usually in the knee area. The pain comes
  on after normal walking of short distances (200').
  After resting a short time (4 or 5 minutes) things go
  back to normal, until I begin walking again. The weakness
  occurs when I put stress on my lower body, like carrying
  or dragging something heavy (50 lbs).
  Both symptoms occur in the left leg and hip only.
  Any help would be appreciated.
  Thanks
==========================================================
John, the type of pain you are having that is clearly related to exercise specifically is known as claudication--- in your case, hip claudication. Although this is sometimes a symptom of a condition known as lumbar canal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal from arthritis), much more often this is actually caused by a problem with the circulation to the affected leg, due to a blockage of one of the leg arteries, and sometimes, of the aorta itself, in which case it might be the first warning sign of a condition called an abdominal aortic aneurysm (not brain aneurysm). Most such problems with blockages in the arteries can be treated surgically. If they are not treated, they may result in emergency surgery and/or amputation of the affected limb if the artery suddenly closes off. Thus, I would strongly advise that you bring this problem to the attention of your primary care physician as soon as possible, so that he or she can order tests to investigate the possibility of blocked arteries in the leg. If this
testing ends up being negative, I would then pursue the possibility of lumbar canal stenosis with an MRI or CT scan of the lumbrosacral spine. This condition is also treated surgically---- don't waste your time on conservative measures if it is LCS--- they never work, since this is a mechanical problem which, unlike herniated disks, does not typically respond to such measures. Again, I would get this investigated SOON.
  John