What causes leg weakness and lack of strength after a cerebral infarction?
Sep 12, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Jun
Introduction
Leg weakness due to cerebral infarction may result from atherosclerosis in major arteries, which promotes platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. When the heart is invaded by bacteria, infective endocarditis can be triggered, leading to detachment of cardiac emboli. Hypertension may cause hyaline degeneration of cerebral arteries, resulting in cerebral ischemia and subsequent cerebral infarction. If not treated promptly, this condition can affect normal limb function, causing leg weakness and loss of strength.
“Cerebral infarction” typically refers to ischemic stroke. Leg weakness or lack of strength associated with cerebral infarction may result from causes such as large-artery atherosclerosis, infective endocarditis, or hypertension.
1. Large-artery atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis in large arteries promotes platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. If left untreated, this may lead to arterial occlusion, resulting in insufficient cerebral blood supply and subsequent ischemic stroke. Such damage to brain function can manifest clinically as leg weakness or lack of strength.
2. Infective endocarditis
Infective endocarditis—caused by bacterial invasion of the heart—can lead to detachment of cardiac emboli, causing localized cerebral arterial occlusion and triggering ischemic stroke. Similarly, localized arterial occlusion in the lower limbs may also produce leg weakness or lack of strength.
3. Hypertension
Hypertension may induce hyaline degeneration of cerebral arterioles, leading to small-artery occlusion. Over time, persistent small-artery occlusion impairs normal blood flow, resulting in cerebral ischemia and ischemic stroke. Without timely treatment, this may impair motor function in the extremities, presenting as leg weakness or lack of strength.
