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Dual leg spasms

A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭
Owen Sound, ON

My physiotherapist tells me she has never had an MS Patient (and she deals with many) that has had spasms in BOTH legs. MS usually runs hemispherical but my good leg started spasming about four months ago? Neurologist won’t say a word so no help there....
Anyone had this happen?

February 18, 2019
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Reactions
A MyMSTeam Member

generally it's my left leg but even when I have in both legs my left side will be worse

February 20, 2019
A MyMSTeam Member

I have it on both sides. I think it depends on where your lesions are.

February 18, 2019
MyMSTeam

Dual leg spasms in multiple sclerosis (MS) can significantly impact daily life. Here are some key points from the knowledge base:

- Walking and Standing: Leg spasms can make it challenging to walk, climb stairs, or maintain balance. Some people experience their hips locking up, making walking harder, or feel like they've Show Full Answer

Dual leg spasms in multiple sclerosis (MS) can significantly impact daily life. Here are some key points from the knowledge base:

- Walking and Standing: Leg spasms can make it challenging to walk, climb stairs, or maintain balance. Some people experience their hips locking up, making walking harder, or feel like they've run a marathon due to the severity of the spasms.
- Sitting: Limited mobility and prolonged sitting can cause muscle spasms. Some people experience butt spasms after sitting all day.
- Sleeping: Spasticity often occurs at night, disrupting sleep. Jerking of the legs can wake you or your partner.
- Triggers: Muscle spasms can be triggered by sudden position changes, extreme temperatures, infections, tight clothing, constipation, a full bladder, and stress.

Management Tips:
- Physical and Occupational Therapy: These therapies can help manage spasticity and improve mobility.
- Medications: Muscle relaxants like Baclofen and Tizanidine may be prescribed to alleviate symptoms.
- Orthotic Devices: Braces or splints can help keep legs stable and properly aligned during spasms.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the articles on MyMSTeam:
- [Managing MS Spasticity: Cramps, Spasms, and More](https://www.mymsteam.com/resources/ms-spasticit...)
- [Muscle Spasms in MS: What Do They Feel Like?](https://www.mymsteam.com/resources/muscle-spasm...)

July 21, 2024
A MyMSTeam Member

Yes both sides of my torso are bad. The right started first but the left hurts too but not as bad. My neurologist found the spastic muscles on the right and said wouldn't be surprised if the left was doing the same and it was. Surprised your neurologist said this-- maybe he hasn't seen enough but it's not uncommon to have it on both sides. I do think most people have it worse on one side though but still

February 18, 2019 (edited)
A MyMSTeam Member

Yep - I've had both sides too - and it's the same muscle groups usually simultaneously (arches, calves, hamstrings, quads, rotator cuffs). For many years prior to my diagnosis I thought these were sports injuries because how else do you tear both sides of achilles/calves and both rotator cuffs? Ah! MS..... Now I finally understand my pain that I've just pushed through for decades. FYI in case it's helpful I have very few visible lesions. One questionable (shows up sometimes and not others depending on the machine and MRI image slicing). One very old slight in cervical (could be from ski accident & LOC from high school years), and one newer from optical neuritis in 2016. XX

February 18, 2019

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