Why Do My Legs Feel Like They Are Going To Give Out

It’s pretty alarming when you suddenly feel like your legs are going to give out. Whether you’re standing, walking, or even just sitting down, this sensation can really take you by surprise. 

But why does it happen, and what exactly is going on in our bodies when we experience this? In some cases, the weakness in your legs is due to a recent injury, while in others, there’s a deeper underlying issue. 

Below, we discuss the causes of this feeling. We also talk about potential treatment strategies to help you get back on your feet.

Reasons Your Legs Feel Like They Are Going To Give Out

Some reasons for leg weakness are acute, while others are chronic. It’s crucial to seek due medical attention as soon as possible to prevent further complications. Some common causes of sudden leak weakness are the following. 

Radiculopathy

Radiculopathy is a condition that affects the nerve roots in your spine. It can cause compression, inflammation, or damage to these nerves, resulting in pain and numbness. 

The human spine is made of several bones called vertebrae. Your spinal cord runs through a canal formed by these vertebrae. The nerve roots branching out of your spinal cord exit the spine in different places. Any damage to these nerves can result in symptoms that we collectively call radiculopathy. 

Symptoms of radiculopathy include: 

• Sharp pain in legs, shoulders, arms, and back 
• Weakness of legs and arms 
• Loss of reflexes in legs and arms 
• Pins and needles or tingling sensation in legs, arms, and back 

How radiculopathy affects your leg muscles will depend on the severity of nerve damage and the location of the affected nerve roots. You have difficulty in: 

• Lifting your foot 
• Lifting your leg 
• Maintaining balance 
• Walking straight 

The treatment of radiating pain will depend on the underlying cause. In some cases, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. Your doctor may also recommend physical therapy, weight loss strategies, or steroid injections to manage the pain and inflammation. 

Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetes may damage nerves throughout the body, mainly affecting the feet and legs. The condition is called diabetic neuropathy. 

People suffering from diabetic neuropathy have weaker muscles and reduced blood supply to the affected nerves. Some other symptoms are: 

• Ankle and leg weakness 
• Unsteady gait 
• Loss of balance 
• Sharp leg pain 
• Loss of sensation in the feet and legs 
• Numbness in the legs 

Upon diagnosis, your healthcare provider would recommend special shoe inserts, special footwear, and medications to relieve pain and improve mobility. 

Stroke 

Although a stroke mainly affects the brain, it can also cause damage to leg muscles. When your brain’s blood supply is cut off, the neurons begin to die, leading to loss of movement control in different parts of the body, including the legs. 

Besides leg weakness, you may experience the following symptoms: 

• Severe headaches 
• Sudden confusion
• Difficulty speaking 
• Difficulty walking or balancing 
• Numbness in your legs, arms, or face on one side of your body 
• Drooping on one side of your face 

It’s imperative to call for help immediately if you experience these symptoms. Treatment methods for stroke will depend on the type and severity of the stroke. 

They range from medication and surgical clipping to carotid endarterectomy and angioplasty or stents. 

Cauda Equina Syndrome 

While rare, the Cauda Equina syndrome is a severe condition that affects the lower part of the spine. In this condition, the cauda equina (a bundle of nerves at the bottom of the spinal cord) is compressed, causing severe pain and weakness in the legs along with other symptoms. 

Some causes of Cauda Equina syndrome include: 

• Herniated disc 
• Birth abnormalities 
• Spinal anesthesia 
• Spinal infections 
• Lumbar spinal stenosis 
• Spinal tumors or lesions 

Feeling like your legs are giving away is just one symptom of Cauda Equina syndrome. Other symptoms include: 

• Urinary retention 
• Fecal and urinary incontinence 
• Weakness or numbness in the legs 
• Sexual dysfunction 
• Lack of bladder control 
• Numbness in genitals, inner thighs, and groin 
• Sciatica (pain in the legs or back) 

The most used treatment for Cauda Equina syndrome is surgery, which involves decompressing the affected nerves. The surgeon may also remove any underlying cause of compression, such as tumors or lesions. 

Central Canal Stenosis 

Central canal stenosis occurs when the spinal canal, which is the central space in your spine that contains the spinal cord, narrows. The canal may narrow in the upper back, lower back, or neck. 

Causes of central canal stenosis include: 

• Tumors growing into the spine 
• Trauma (eg. bleeding) 
• Bone spurs 
• Spine ligament thickening 
• Disc herniation 

With less blood flow to the spinal cord, your legs may become less stable. The common symptom of central canal stenosis is weakness of the legs. Besides, you may experience: 

• Pain on walking long distances 
• Loss of balance 
• Difficulty walking 

There are surgical and non-surgical treatments for central canal stenosis. Non-surgical treatment options include: 

• Physical therapy to improve strength and stability in the legs 
• Medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and inflammation 
• Corticosteroid injections into the spinal canal to reduce inflammation 

However, if the condition has a severity of over 30%, combined with notable leg weakness, surgical methods are required. 

Alternative Treatments for Sudden Leg Weakness: Orthobiological Approach 

In some instances, especially when there’s persistent leg weakness, you might opt for orthobiological treatment. At CELLAXYS, board-certified surgeons offer various orthobiological treatments that focus on maximizing the body’s regenerative potential. These treatments include: 

• Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: PRP is a quick, 45-minute, non-surgical treatment that involves injecting a concentrated amount of your own platelets into the affected area. These platelets contain growth factors and other healing proteins that help repair damaged tissues and stimulate new tissue growth. 
• Cell-based Therapies: In this treatment, a small amount of your bone marrow or adipose tissue is collected and processed to obtain a concentration of cells that promote healing and regeneration. We offer Minimally Manipulate Adipose Tissue Transplant (MMAT) and Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) therapies for our patients. 

Cell-based and PRP approaches are minimally invasive, safe, and have a short recovery period. Plus, they’re outpatient. So, you can go home the same day. Give these treatments a try if you’re looking for an alternative to surgery.