Numbness and Weakness
Motor control difficulties are prominent early signs of multiple sclerosis. Myelin sheath damage is often characterized by limb pain, tingling, and numbness in the extremities of MS patients. When the brain has difficulty transmitting information to the nerves and muscles, hand-eye coordination, muscular weakness, balance, and gait may be affected.
Damage to the muscle-activating nerve fibers, referred to as demyelination, causes muscular weakness. Lack of nerve signals to the muscles, which stops them from contracting and relaxing properly, often results in less stamina. Muscle weakness in the legs, ankles, and feet may contribute to impaired walking. Upper-body and arm weakness can make basic chores such as dressing and bathing challenging.
MS patients may also experience stumbling and difficulty balancing because they can’t point their toes or catch their feet on things. These compensatory gaits may result in pain, most often in the back or hip. This weakness tends to snowball into more inactivity and reduced productivity, contributing to worsening complications and low QOL among patients. Regular use of the damaged muscles is recommended to maintain their stable tone and help strengthen adjacent muscles that receive adequate nerve transmission. In addition, using canes, wheelchairs, and other assistive technologies can increase muscle control and strength in specific conditions.
