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Muscle Atrophy in Legs - Can it Cause Difficulty Walking and Standing?
Following an intense leg workout back in January, I experienced significant weakness down both legs entirely that never got back to normal and it wasn’t just your typical DOMS. Long story short, I stopped using my legs much due to how terrible they felt (extremely heavy yet weak, stiff, and sore). I still have the leg weakness and lack of range of motion, though there are minor improvements over the past 6 months with PT. Since January, I average less than a total of 1,000 steps a day, and have muscle atrophy in both legs (more in my right since that one is weaker).
Can muscle atrophy of the legs really cause extreme weakness in the legs?? Even standing in place for a couple minutes makes my legs feel exhausted. I can’t walk more than 100 steps at a time without my legs getting super fatigued and worn out, like I just ran a marathon.
I can’t tell if I have something genuinely wrong with me like an autoimmune disease, neurological problem, etc but I’ve seen countless specialists and gone through so many tests like MRIs, bloodwork, nerve conductions that all have come back totally normal/clean. I can’t imagine not using my legs as much as I used to/I should be would be the cause of my lack of endurance with them, but maybe it’s as simple as I need to slowly use them more and build that strength back. Any thoughts or personal experiences with leg muscle atrophy/disuse atrophy?
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Hi there. You are only 23 and experiencing this and that is strange. You said it started with an intense leg workout. Were you a regular at the gym before this?
I've read some of the comments on long covid. Long covid is one strange affliction and it seems little is known about it. I'd certainly ask your Dr, although you've probably done this.
It could also be sciatica, or something messing with the nerves in the spinal canal that affect the legs. Although you'd experience pain and numbness and you don't mention that.
As for the cortisone shot - not sure where the shot would be placed? An epidural, in the lumbar spine? That seems the most likely.
I'm sorry I don't have any new suggestions for you. I do wish you all the best in figuring this out. Hiring a trainer is a decent idea. I'm just not sure that gets to the underlying problem.
Hi there! No other symptoms. Simply just weakness in legs and decreased range of motion. I have gotten bloodwork done of muscle enzymes, general inflammation markers, and for myositis. All came back normal. I am trying to find a neuromuscular doctor but the soonest appointment in the area so far is in March...I may try a functional/integrative doctor to see if they can help.
@gaboslastresort
Did you get MRIs of cervical/lumbar spine and hips to see if there is any spinal cord nerve compression or soft tissue injury? Have you had a neurologist do EMGs/nerve conduction studies of lower limbs? Have you had bloodwork panels done for peripheral neuropathy?
Good Morning.
I think you are getting a great deal of helpful advice here.
I am an exercise physiologist (not a doctor) and the suggestions all point to one important thing: You best know your body, so you can guide the evaluations and ultimately what will lead to your better health. Let's be positive and take on this continued challenge. I don't know much about you except what you have shared. The suggestions all come from all reasonable directions and take note that many will be a great guide.
My advice would be to keep moving and track your progress and symptoms. Also track your dietary intake as well as environmental factors. Those could be clues.
It is important to maintain (if not improve) you activities of daily living. Walking, whether on land or in a pool, lifting weights or doing resistance exercise of any type-starting at your current level of function-will help you be more functional and you will feel better too!
Lastly, if I did not mention it, keep a journal, aside from the physical activity and diet, it is important how you respond to your environment and how it is impacting your physical and mental well-being.
You can do this!
Best,
Ann Marie
In general, whenever the appointment is too far out, I always ask to be put on cancellation list. If they don’t have one, I keep calling back and asking office staff to check for cancellations for a sooner appointment. Good luck!
gaboslastresort, Hey There! The cortisone shots I received were in my shoulders and then 2 weeks later my knees. Cortisone shots are systemic with a lot of folks.....I am one of them. The injection goes all over my whole body when I receive one and helps with inflammation. When my legs got better 2 days after my injections, I knew my leg weakness was from inflammation. The orthopedic doctor agreed.
There are excellent calf/leg exercises on google & Youtube. Go gently is the key.
Blessings & Prayers to you.....
I've read the comments - they are wise.
I have a different take - your spine. The nerves exiting your lumbar spine -- which have a major nerve root (equina cauda) feeds your legs. IF it is compressed from aggressive exercise, or a failing or herniated disc or stenosis (all of which you may not be aware of) you might not be having your legs fed properly. It happened to me. The disc fell completely out and the vertebrate bones grew together. (Lucky me, the pain stopped!) but the nerves were dying or dead. Got into the orthopedic surgeon to save my mobility in the nick of time! Did surgery immediately and put in place hardware to allow space for my nerves to regrow to my legs. Nerves can take 10 years to regrow. I'm on year 6. The neurosurgeon I saw for 18 years would have never given me surgery. I am grateful I told them "Well, I'll just go home and take the opioids and leave you guys alone." So they sent me to orthopedics and the surgeon there did surgery immediately. Only took me.... 18 years to get that handled! Best of luck.