Elderly Woman With Weak Legs

[bkkjjj]

My mother is 74 years and has enjoyed life as best as anyone can. She's recently just won a battle against colon cancer and previous to that was diagnosed with Parkinson's. After the cancer op, doctors seemed surprised to find out her parkinson's symptoms were nil!

However, now she's got very weak legs. No strength to stand on her own. Doctors have checked her from head to toe and still no prognosis.

Spine is fine, nerves are fine. Anyone...ideas of what may be the cause so I can have it checked out?

[glbv]

What kind of doctors? If its her legs id look into an orthopedic specialist.

[Sheryl]

It is not at all unusual for elderly people to experience substantial loss of muscle tone after surgery/hospitalization. Even as little as 2 days in bed can be aq huge setback at that age.

She needs a course of physical therapy to gradually regain muscle mass and strength.

To be on the safe side, take a daily B complex supplement for a month or so along with sublingual B12. Won't hurt and pay help. She was probably not eating for a while due to the surgery and may have some mild deficiencies.

[bkkjjj]

Thank you. We've been to orthopedic specialists and nothing is abnormal with her bones. The cancer op was late last year and she's recovered from all the chemo treatments since. Her legs are weak on an off. She has been able to walk without support for short distances, but recently it's getting worse where she can't straighten her legs, they would just fold under her. So she needs a lot of support.

She's undergoing some physio now. Will try the supplements as suggested. The neurologists are also going to have another check to see if they find anything.

[glbv]

I agree with sheryl here, my grandfather while in fairly good shape for his age just cant walk like he used to, uses a cane. My grandmonther towards the end (86) had to use a push walker, hooked her up with some tennis balls and she could go for hours.

[harrry]

Sheryl may correct me on this but I have the impression that much of the physiotherapy here is passive massages etc whereas in the west there is more emphasis on graduated exercise. THere seems to be the feeling that older people must rest and do little.

Edited May 12, 2012 by harrry

[Sheryl]

It is not totally clear that his mother is in thailand.

But yes, i do find the quality of PT in thailand (and not just for the elderly) to be sub-par.

OP as the surgery etc were some months ago, a neuro consult would indeed be advisable.