Conundrum: Legs test as strong, but feel week …

@ray666, can you explain a little more about what you mean by "feel weak"? Does this mean that you have a sensation but that your leg function and strength is actually fine? Are you still able to walk and use your legs though they feel weak?

Hi, Colleen. Thanks for writing. I knew I hadn't explained myself well. Often late in the day, or after I've been sitting for a long time, when I stand, I'll be wobbly, needing to touch some stationary object, such as the wall or a desktop to avoid feeling that I might fall. At these times, my legs will feel "rubbery," and my knees too, like they cannot support me. I've been calling this sensation "weak." When I've used that term with my doctors ("weak"), they'll often test my legs ("resist my pushing your leg down," "try not to let me pull your foot up," etc.). I'll be told, "Your legs seem plenty strong." That's what I find puzzling. If it's not a weakness, what then? I would welcome any thoughts you might have. ––Ray

Hello Ray:
So glad you wrote in about the leg dilemma. I have something I will be looking into this year, but I am experiencing the same trauma as you. Sitting a long time and then when I go to stand, my knees say no. Sway and wobbly movement forward. Yes, Arthritis and the knees feel they cannot put forth the effort to move me step by step. Coupled with this I have toe fungus from working in the garden and yard for 30 yrs. My top siders slip on shoes held onto the water and created a mold under the nails. This does not help standing straight. I do my own surgery on my toe nails. Helps a little. Over the counter products are trash. Fungus does grow back if you have a doctor dig and remove. Medicare does not cover. Expensive. I've been told the advent of stem cell transplant is going to help many arthritic people. Depends on Congress looking to allow this to happen ?? Judy

Hello, Judy (@dance4life)

It sounds like we're experiencing much the same thing. If I sit reading, writing, or watching TV, even if I've only been sitting for 20-25 minutes, I must be very careful when I go to stand up. My legs will feel rubbery. Often, I'll feel a pinch on one or both of my knees; sometimes, my ankle joints will be achy (when they felt fine before I sat down). I deliberately remain standing without attempting a first step until I'm reasonably sure I can go forward. But even as I go forward, I'll make certain I've a wall or tall chair close by so that I'm able to keep my fingertips touching something solid. It's odd: just "touching" helps; I needn't have a firm grip. After I've gone a short ways, usually I can stop "touching," but I still must go very, very carefully. I must be especially careful not to look suddenly left or right; that would throw me off balance (as it has a few times in recent months). You mention shoes. That's a problem for me. Because I've severely flat feet and must wear orthotics, I have a devil of a time finding good fitting, comfortable shoes. I've tried so many, from the expensive ones to the bargain-price ones: none is ever "just right." My physical therapist tells me––because of my long-time wearing of orthotics––I should always wear some sort of footwear, even indoors (I used to love to go about barefoot). She's suggested slippers, but I've never found any slippers that will hold my heels in place. Not only do I find that annoying, but it's also seems another set-up for tripping. In an earlier post, I believe I also mentioned that when I do the various leg-strengthening exercises my therapist would like me to do every day, I end up with one or more throbbing knees. Thanks for writing. I look forward to hearing again from you when you've time.

Cheers!
Ray (@ray666)

Hello again, Judy

This sounds very promising. I've afraid for me it will have to remain only "promising" for quite some time. If a stash ($$$) is needed, because insurance isn't interested in helping, I'm going to have to bide my time 🙂

Ray (@ray666)

Hi Ray:
Yes, we unfortunately face an ongoing jinx and battles of how to get by each day. Tell yourself..............."I can do this and I WILL". Orthodics are expensive and I have a lady friend that the fitting charges Medicare $400.00 for a pair. Replaced twice a year. Flat feet my father in law had and he did not like having it. During the 40's they did not have fittings in large numbers to choose from. However, you have heard in the 21st Century that many teens and young adults choose vanity and wear those awful flip flops which are the worse for arches. They won't listen and still like to walk around with them. Then there are the young women wanting their 4" spikes (my era went as far as 3") which make us a strong candidate for bunions and hammertoes. Yes, I've had surgery on my feet 5 times. Now have a screw in my left foot from a very bad bunion removal 12 yrs. ago. That screw is now giving me arthritis. Our feet are so important, but women listen more to vanity and appearance than comfort. I'm sorry of your dilemma. I sense your burning discomfort since I am now in the same walking and lifting my body up chore. Never ever stand alone. Find a foldable walker with roller ends, or walk with two canes. You'll have strong hands and wrists after doing that. Once you hit the ground, you will have more of a challenge. Sometimes, one wants to just lie there since the effort is a crusher. My suggestion is to have something to support you once you want to stand. Later on you could hit your head harder and harder to the floor and then you're in neuropathy. That becomes a very, very complex issue. Be brave and stand like a warrior, but don't move forward unless you're fully armed.

Added note:
Careful of the gel injections. My lady friend uses them, but they are a composition of acid and other products and gives relief for 6 mos. if lucky. Have to go back for more she says. Trouble is, acid breaks down our porous bone. Like Coral under the ocean. I am keeping a watchful eye on this Stem Cell Miracle Fix. If it passes CDC and FDA with flying colors, I am in. Remember when Michael J. Fox (actor in Back To The Future ) who has Parkinson Disease tried to get Congress to approve Stem Cell (he flew out to Washington, D.C.) and did not succeed turned to medical drugs to ease his pain and tremors till this day. Keep watching for break throughs. It takes time.

Hi, Judy (@dance4life)

Orthotics are expensive! I've been wearing them for years. I got my first pair when not many people had heard of orthotics. I've been a runner all of my life (that came to an end only a dozen years ago when I had a knee replacement). For the most part, considering how flat my feet are and how badly I pronate, the orthotics gave me good service. You're right, though: the price has skyrocketed. Fortunately, I've a wonderful podiatric surgeon (also a long-distance runner) whose able to take my several "old" orthotics and simply refurbish them, so the cost to me is nothing like what it would be if I had to buy a new pair. The refurbished pair I picked up yesterday cost $40, and they feel great. I've often heard––and see the truth in––that long-time wearing of orthotics only weakens your natural foot; after years of daily orthotics use it's practically impossible to go about barefoot and feel comfortable. I know there's truth in that. For the longest time, I worked with a Feldenkrais instructor (are you familiar with Feldenkrais, or perhaps the Alexander Technique?) in an attempt to restore my feet to a more natural conformation. I had only limited success.

I understand too what you say about gel injections. Fortunately, here too I've a wonderful orthopedic surgeon, who is very conservative when it comes to injections. I trust he'll never advise I get an injection unless I've not had one in a long, long while, and he recognizes that an injection will help (and, generally speaking, they do), forestalling the day when I'll need a second knee replacement.

Me too: I am––or will––be keeping a watchful eye on stem cell replacement. From all I've read (which is not that much), there's great promise in this new therapeutic approach. I'm hoping we'll soon hear lots more about clinical test success and that CDC and FDA approval will soon follow.

Cheers!
Ray (@ray666)