why is one leg withering with smaller weaker calf and thigh muscles? I met a retired doctor who has the same problem, but no answers.

[periclesBC]

The doc and I both have undergone MRI's and Electro Nerve tests, that seem to rule out pinched or otherwise greatly deteriorated nerves. My atrophied (withered) leg is very stiff i.e. has "contractures." I have tried taking alpha lipoic acid and other supplements that published studies indicate can opposed sciatic nerve or other nerve deterioration to some degree. I didn't notice the left leg weakening until I was approaching 70 years old. I have developed some noticeable varus (bowlegged) inclination in the withered leg below the knee. Anybody out there having similar problems, and/or any luck dealing with a withered, weakened leg?

[pjoshea13]

My first reaction is that you should get checked for thrombosis or embolism in that leg.

-Patrick

[periclesBC in reply to pjoshea13]

Thank you Patrick. The first things checked were for thrombosis or embolism. This was done with an ultrasound scan of the leg blood flow, followed by a separate blood pressure and flow test at various points in the leg, and oxygen levels in the blood-- all seemed normal. The left leg has become much weaker than the right, but I have still have good circulation, perhaps because I still ride up the hill trails in the park near my house, daily working out about as intensely and as long as I did on track teams 50 to 60 years ago. The fellow I know with similar problem is same age (75) as I and has also run or otherwise exercised a lot all his life. He has little or no proprioceptive feeling in his foot, and has balance problems. I am OK in those two areas. I am not sure if he has developed any of the unilateral bowlegged condition that I have in the past five years or so.

Some antibiotics e.g. minocycline, are now proposed to be "repurposed" to strengthen nerves.

[Princeps in reply to periclesBC]

Yes; i have the same issue. I am 61 years old. I have attributed to the liwer back issues i had 15 years ago. Ruptured disc ( T 4 and T5) and subsequent "dropped foot" effect in my left leg. I am able to manage it with daily excercise and stationary bike. If i miss a few work outs the limp is noticeable. The atrophy of left leg ( and bowing) started after that incident and i attributed the leg condition to the initial lower back trouble.

Frank

[wagscure259]

Curious as to what medical treatments you have had for your PCa or any other medical conditions . It's very hard for me to believe with that degree of muscular weakening in one leg that EMG studies were normal . Any numbness or tingling in the leg ( parenthesis/dysesthesia's ) ? We're the tests performed by a neurologist ? Are reflex tests normal . Did you have spinal MRI's ? I would think any type of compression neuropathy would result in an abnormal EMG test . Seems like further neurological testing is indicated

[periclesBC in reply to wagscure259]

Good questions. No numbness or tingling in the leg, but cramp like pain at night, worsened where the EMG needles were inserted just below the knee. Neurologist administered the tests, trying very hard to find out why the leg has withered. The same age doc I met with same condition also tested somewhere in a normal range, but his leg is withered too. I also had an MRI of spine which showed slight narrowing. X rays of leg showed nothing remarkable, apparently.

Leg works OK for bicycling, but not for long walks or hiking. Blood flow tests and ultra sound scan showed good flow. I can still bike up steep hills. Would like to do something to be sure condition doesn't worsen, that's for sure. Please see reply to GAdrummer below. Thanks!

[GAdrummer]

Before the bowing started, did you have a difference in leg length, >1/2 inch? Did you ever have polio? or scoliosis? Do you have any mets in that bowing leg?

You probably have developed a different gait pattern for all your exercising which will increase the bulk of the other leg as it carries more of the load (compensating). Prolonged ADT does result in loss of muscle mass even when continuing to exercise. It also weakens the bones by freeing calcium into the blood. I'm guessing that it might be the source of the bowing. You may need a foot doctor to prescribe corrective shoes. I found that the weight of the corrective shoe created more problems. If you find yourself tripping over the cracks in the sidewalk or on thick carpeting, you cannot lift that leg high enough. Each time I trip, it sends a shock up to the hip and lower spine that irritates the nerves.

[periclesBC in reply to GAdrummer]

Never noticed any difference in leg length. My brother had polio when I was a toddler, and perhaps has some recurrence of it now in his eighties. No known scoliosis, no mets, no ADT, and no analysis of gait by a professional. Will try to get this done. I am very sorry that you get those shocks up to the hip and lower spine. If that ever happens to me, I am sure I will remember it. I am increasing my stretching exercises right after I get out of the shower, and am not so stiff and creaky. My leg has "contractures" - big word for "is pretty darn stiff," so I am working on that, hoping to reduce any pressure on nerves due to muscle spasms, etc. Dr. Sarno's excellent Healing Back Pain book largely ended back troubles for me 17 years ago, so I understand that muscle spasm causes nerve pain, and where there is pain, there is likely to be weakness. Thank you very much for your interest. I welcome all ideas, questions and suggestions, that's for sure!

[GAdrummer in reply to periclesBC]

I have found that magnesium supplements (500 mg/day) have greatly reduced the frequency and severity of the muscle cramps. Interesting about your brother, surprising to have Post Polio Syndrome wait so long to occur, usually starts around 30 years after initial exposure. Susceptibility to the polio virus is genetic. You were very lucky.