What Causes Limb Pain and Weakness?
Moving the “wrong” way, overworking a muscle group or tripping and falling can all contribute to an injury. You may first notice soreness when performing everyday activities such as picking up an object or walking up a flight of stairs. However, rapidly worsening symptoms could indicate a more severe problem such as an underlying medical condition. Below, we have outlined three common causes of limb pain and weakness and what you can do.
1. Overuse Injuries
The signs of aging are varied but can include tired joints, slower steps and longer recovery time from exercise. Sometimes joints can even age prematurely due to overuse during a particular period of time. Overuse injuries can occur during a short period, such as weeks or months, or over several years. Stretching regularly and maintaining good posture may help prevent severe damage, but over time limb pain and weakness can occur. Talk to your doctor about problematic joints, or visit an urgent care center for more immediate care if you experience a sprain, strain or fracture.
2. Labor-Related Injuries
The latest blizzard will not be soon forgotten, and winter still has a long way to go. Following these top tips for safety in the snow can help protect you from harm, but limb pain can still occur after a slip and fall. Shoveling snow could also contribute to a lower back injury that could send you to urgent care. Another type of injury that can cause leg soreness and weakness is a lumbar disc herniation. This condition can be caused by wear as we age, but, according to WebMD, it also can occur following a sudden strain to the lower back.
3. Underlying Medical Issues
If you experience both limb pain and weakness on a regular basis, this could indicate a serious underlying condition. For example, although fibromyalgia is a musculoskeletal pain disorder and diabetic neuropathy is a nerve-related disorder, both can cause soreness and weakness. Autoimmune conditions including multiple sclerosis, lupus and celiac disease also can cause joint and body pain. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), up to 22 million Americans have autoimmune disorders, and millions of them may be undiagnosed. These conditions frequently cause inflammation, which irritates joints and body parts. In many cases, these types of underlying medical conditions are first suspected following an urgent care visit for unknown symptoms.
Limb Pain Diagnosis and Treatment
If you are experiencing body soreness, tingling or severe weakness, visit an urgent care facility for prompt medical attention. eMedical Urgent Care has a team of experienced physicians in both of our convenient locations to help you determine and treat any unusual symptoms. Our walk-in clinics are ideal for busy schedules or times when your primary care physician is unavailable. Call to learn more about our urgent care, X-ray and lab services at our locations in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, (908) 464-6700, and Middletown, New Jersey, (732) 957-0707.