Leg weakness; pain and now arthritis in hip and knee

by Michelle
(New Mexico)

Often there are pre existing conditions in the hip too.

Often there are pre existing conditions in the hip too.

Leg weakness; pain and now arthritis in hip and knee after an injury demands plenty of gentle exercise, good nutrition and watching your weight. Swimming would help.


I was in a car accident in 2009 I was in the passenger seat and had my right leg tightened against the wheel well as I was setting the papers for my new car on the floor, a few blocks away from the dealership, wham. 90mph impact into this wheel well. I can no longer pull my leg to my chest and my leg falls outward/way from body.

An MRI of my back shows "the back of a person much younger" minus one spot in my mid back of "little concern". The doctors "didn't want to get involved", so claimed all my symptoms were MS (I was incredibly active before this accident). I am in my mid 40s. I moved out of that town after "settlement" in 2014. In 2015, I had two hours worth of ortho surgery to my right knee (every tendon and ligament was broken or ruptured minus the medial); have arthritis in my hip and knee.

I have been told that my femoral nerve is trapped, but they can't figure out where; MRI doesn't show it. Meanwhile my thigh muscles are disappearing. The Ortho surgeon just gave me a steroid injection in my knee for arthritis and is talking about sending me to another state for the paralysis as my area doesn't have the expertise and testing. Any suggestions? I can send copies of MRIs if you need them.

Hello Michelle,
I replied to this but apparently didn't save it, such a kluts! so here goes again.

Since you are unable to pull your knee to your chest, this looks like a classic hip condition to me; there could be a femoral nerve problem but in the absence of back pain, and radiating pain to your leg when bending in various directions, my thoughts are directed to your hip.

Mm, cars are like toothbrushes; lent to others and even allowing them to drive you, especially in a brand new Ferrari is not such a good idea!

Both knee and hip conditions cause what is known as 'arthrogenic inhibition', most frequently to the quadriceps muscle which will waste and the leg become weak; it's fairly classic.

My best thoughts are regularly to do quad sets, I like to do them sitting with the leg straight, and knee extensions, also sitting, with knee and hip cases. Google it. I should do a video on it too.

Then you must gently mobilise that hip every morning before getting out of bend; some discomfort, but no pain.

Nutritionally look to fatty fish and freshly ground flaxseed for omega-3, and save and freeze your chicken bones; then cover with water and boil, or better still in a pressure cooker. Interesting research from Harvard Medical School on the benefits of the cartilage nutrients from a bouillon turned regularly into a soup.

Using the search function at Chiropractic Help, see our chicken bones page. Sunshine remains the best source of vitamin D, so important for bone integrity; a daily walk in the sun with a hat is the solution.

I hope this contributes; oh, and watch your weight; obesity on top of those injuries will lead quickly to complete knee and hip joint replacements; very expensive, and not nice if they can be avoided.

Dr B

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Aug 15, 2017
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by: Michelle

Thank you Dr. B. I went to Startpage (I don't use Google) and looked up ANI. Found an article that had specific PT for this: TENS, Cryotherapy of the joint; very interesting and it made sense. I tried so hard to move my leg and do the PT after my knee surgery; my foot and thigh just didn't like doing stair climbing or anything like this; my butt gives out and I fall if I overuse; I have a walker now. I've also bookmarked the normal PT you recommended. Only question I still have: What do you recommend for the arthritis I now have in my hip and knee joints? I've order a Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Copper and Potassium supplement. I can't have as much Omega Oils and are normally recommended due to Von Wilibrands Disease (Omega Acids, according to my ND is a blood thinner; so instead I eat fish; Atlantic. I will bring the article I found to my Ortho Surgeon and DO.

Hello Michelle,
Confess I had to look up Von Willebrand's disease. I would agree with your ND; fatty fish, not capsules of omega-3.

There are continually shifting opinions as new research contradicts old practices. The latest is that calcium supplements, unless you are very active, gets deposited in the coronary arteries and increases the risk of CV disease. Thus, there too, get your calcium from your food.

Gentle mobilisation of the joints every morning before getting out of bed, and preferably several times a day, and swimming with strengthen the muscles.

Chicken bones bouillon made into a soup.

As a chiropractor I'd be checking your sacroiliac joints too as they often fixate and cause pain with an abnormal gait.

I'm afraid that's about all I have to offer. I hope it all helps.

Dr B

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