Leg functioning

A stroke can cause problems with moving your legs, and with walking and balance. Common difficulties include:

• Weakness or paralysis – weakness all the way down one side of your body is called hemiparesis. Paralysis on one side of the body is called hemiplegia.
• Changes in sensation – this can include increased feeling, which can make even light touch painful (hypersensitivity). You may also experience numbness or pins and needles.
• Coordination problems or balance problems – these problems may be due to physical limitations, or due to difficulties in planning movement (apraxia or dyspraxia). 
• Swelling – if your leg doesn’t move as well as it used to, fluid may build up in your foot or lower leg. This is called edema or oedema.
• Changes in muscle tone – high tone makes your muscles stiff or tight, and is called hypertonia or spasticity. Low tone makes your muscles floppy or loose, and is called hypotonia.
• Contracture – shortening of the muscle results in the joint becoming fixed in one position.

 

Recovery after stroke can be slow and it can be hard to predict how much recovery will happen in your leg. Generally, recovery is most rapid in the first six months, but recovery can continue years after a stroke. This is especially true if you keep active and use your affected leg the best you can.

A physiotherapist can give you an exercise program to improve your leg functioning and balance. This may include strengthening, stretching, coordination or balance exercises. A physiotherapist can also give you advice about whether you should use a walking aid, leg splint or brace, to help you walk more easily and safely. They can also advise you on how to reduce your risk of falls.