Why osteochondrosis there is unsteadiness of gait and weakness in the legs

The Unsteadiness of gait is a walking anomaly, which may be caused by illness or injury of the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, blood vessels, peripheral nerves, muscles, and soft tissues. The other large group of causes of unstableness of a lesion of the nervous system that control leg movements when walking.

The first group of causes include diseases such as osteochondrosis, arthritis, injuries of the spine and lower extremities, injuries of the muscles, foot deformity, associated with uncomfortable shoes.

The second weakness in the limbs due to stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, encephalopathy and other diseases.

The Uncertainty is sometimes the result of temporary causes, such as trauma or infection, and may be a permanent problem, characterized by weakness in the legs.

gait disorders can be either barely noticeable, to severe and leading to restriction self-service capabilities.

Essence illness

One of the common causes unstableness is osteochondrosis – a degenerative disease of cartilage and bone. This process can develop in any bone-articular structure. However, traditionally the term "osteochondrosis" is used mainly in relation to lesions of the spine.

The Essence of the pathological process in this disease is that in the intervertebral disc (the cartilage "padding" between the vertebrae) degenerative changes occur: impaired blood supply, poor nutrition, fluid loss. Warp drive causes a narrowing of the space between the vertebrae, to change its configuration.

Consequently, in the intervertebral space can be impaired spinal nerves. If the infringement occurs in the cervical spine, pain in the neck, shoulder, weakness in the hand. Osteochondritis the defeat of the thoracic manifested primarily by back pain.

If the disease occurs in the lumbosacral, the pain is localized in the lower back may spread to the legs. For this form of osteochondrosis characterized by the appearance of zones where reduced skin sensitivity, and impaired mobility, weakness of the lower extremities.

what appear similar symptoms

The Answer to this question is quite simple, but requires a small deviation in the direction of the basics of anatomy and physiology.

Throughout the spinal column out of it spinal nerves. Part of the branches of these nerve trunks provides sensitivity of certain skin areas, the other part controls the activity of skeletal muscles. Branches that supply the muscles, after exiting the spine form a nerve plexus, and only then are sent to the muscles.

Nerves, "guiding" the work of the legs come from the lumbar and sacral spine and form the plexus. The most significant branch of the lumbar plexus is the femoral nerve, the sacral – ischial.

Each of these nerve trunks delivers control signals to several muscles of the lower extremities. If the nerve root compressed at the intervertebral space, reduces the nerve impulse to the muscles in the foot (or both feet at bilateral defeat) there is a weakness. Because of the weakness gait becomes shaky.

In Addition to disorders of movement control role in the appearance of difficulty when walking and playing pain.

What to do

The Unsteadiness of gait is a serious symptom. We urgently need to see a doctor, especially if weakness in the legs increases rapidly. You need a full examination to exclude surgical conditions. Such conditions may include, for example, a progressive herniated disc compresses nerve tissue.