In most cases, leg weakness is due to some form of mechanical pressure on the nerve(s) in the leg. The most common being the sciatic. However, sudden leg weakness may be a sign of a serious underlying health issue & should be evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible.
A slipped disc occurs when the gelatinous substance inside the protrudes through a tear in the exterior, causing pain. This can happen because of injury or age-related degenerative changes in the spine. If the slipped disc compresses a nearby nerve, it can cause pain, numbness, muscle weakness, burning along the affected nerve, often down your leg.
Sciatica, which is caused by an irritated or pinched nerve in the lower back, is pain that radiates from your lower back & down the legs. Usually unilateral, symptoms can range from a dull ache to sharp burning pain. You may also experience leg numbness & weakness.
Diseases such as; ALS, Spinal lesion or tumor, Myasthenia gravis (MG), Parkinson’s disease, Peripheral neuropathy, Multiple sclerosis (MS), Stroke & Guillain-Barré syndrome may also cause leg weakness. Getting an accurate diagnosis is extremely important because treatment is different depending on the condition! At Triangle Spinal Decompression, we take the time to reach the correct diagnosis, explain your condition & all of your options.