Why do I have no strength in my legs to stand up?

Author: Robert Konopelski  |  Last update: Monday, October 27, 2025

Weakness in the legs can happen for a variety of reasons. These can include DOMS, spinal problems, neuropathy, ALS, stroke, myasthenia gravis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Weakness in the legs may affect one leg or both. Sometimes, leg weakness can signal an underlying medical condition that requires treatment.

Why are my legs so weak and I cant stand up?

Weakness in the legs can be caused by many different conditions, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or called Lou Gehrig's disease), bulging/herniated (slipped) disc, Cauda equina syndrome, Guillain-Barré syndrome, autoimmune diseases, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, peripheral neuropathy, pinched ...

What causes loss of strength in legs?

Weakness in the legs is a common symptom of many health conditions and injuries, including autoimmune diseases, spinal conditions and injuries, and stroke.

Why did my legs go weak when I stood up?

Weakness in your leg(s) may occur from problems in the nerves and/or muscles in your lower body and is usually treatable. Rarely, the underlying cause may be a serious medical condition requiring immediate medical attention. A feeling of sudden weakness in the legs may be due to nerve and/or muscle dysfunction.

What deficiency causes weakness in legs?

Potassium Deficiency (Hypokalaemia)

Hypokalemia is a medical condition that occurs when you have minimal potassium in your blood flow. Potassium deficiency can lead to leg heaviness, leg weakness, leg cramps, constipation, fatigue, and numerous other symptoms.

Hard To Stand Up After Sitting - Simple Exercise to Strengthen Legs

When should I be worried about leg weakness?

A person who experiences sudden weakness in the legs or some other part of their body should seek emergency medical attention. Such symptoms could signal a stroke or other life threatening illnesses. People who experience severe, persistent, or worsening leg weakness should book an appointment with their doctor.

How can I make my weak legs strong again?

Some good leg strengthening exercises include:
  1. Squats — Squatting is one of the best resistance workouts you can do. ...
  2. Lunges — Lunges are a great way to enhance strength and stability in your legs since you are forced to balance all of your body weight on one leg for a short period of time.

When I get up from sitting, I can hardly walk.?

Sitting too long can make your muscles and joints stiff, so when you try to walk afterward, they may take time to “wake up” and work properly.

What is the best vitamin for weak legs?

For leg health, key vitamins include vitamin D for bone strength and muscle function and the antioxidant vitamin E for protecting against oxidative stress and inflammation. The B vitamin group is also essential as they are involved in energy production, which is crucial for maintaining muscle endurance and vitality.

How do I get rid of weakness in my legs?

Leg Weakness Treatment
  1. Medications. Different medications can be described to help with leg weakness based on the underlying cause. ...
  2. Surgery. Some conditions that cause leg weakness can be treated with surgery, such as hyperthyroidism or a herniated disc.
  3. Physical Therapy. ...
  4. Dietary Changes. ...
  5. Mobility Aids.

What disease starts with muscle weakness?

Overview. Myasthenia gravis (my-us-THEE-nee-uh GRAY-vis) causes muscles under your voluntary control to feel weak and get tired quickly.

Is walking good for weak legs?

Walking is a low-impact cardiovascular exercise. This helps strengthen leg muscles, increase stamina, and improve balance. Start with short walks, going at your own pace.

Why are my legs not getting stronger?

It's possible your training program is letting you down. If it's been put together haphazardly then chances are you won't be getting results from it. Volume is important to consider, studies have shown that a combined total rep amount of around 30 reps per exercise is key for hypertrophy to begin.

What does MS leg weakness feel like?

The weakness can make your legs feel heavy, as if they are being weighed down by something. They may also ache and hurt. Some people with MS describe it as like having bags of sand attached to their legs. This muscle weakness combined with MS fatigue can be upsetting.

What medications cause leg weakness?

Examples of medications that can cause muscle weakness include:
  • amiodarone (Cordarone)
  • antithyroid medications, such as methimazole (Tapazole) or propylthiouracil.
  • antiretroviral medicines, such as lamivudine (Epivir) or zidovudine (Retrovir)
  • chemotherapy medications.
  • cimetidine (Tagamet)
  • corticosteroids.

What causes weakness in legs when standing up?

Neuropathy: Damage to the nerves, often caused by conditions like diabetes. Sciatica: Pain that travels along the sciatic nerve from the lower back down the leg. Peripheral artery disease: Reduced blood flow to the legs. Multiple sclerosis: A disease that affects the central nervous system.

Why do I feel weak when I get up and walk?

Orthostatic hypotension — also called postural hypotension — is a form of low blood pressure that happens when standing after sitting or lying down. Orthostatic hypotension can cause dizziness or lightheadedness and possibly fainting. Orthostatic hypotension can be mild. Episodes might be brief.

Why is it harder to stand up as you age?

Age-related changes in muscle

Muscle fibres reduce in number and shrink in size. Muscle tissue is replaced more slowly and lost muscle tissue is replaced with a tough, fibrous tissue. Changes in the nervous system cause muscles to have reduced tone and ability to contract.

Can weakness in legs be reversed?

Fortunately, most cases of muscle weakness which lack obvious cause are reversible. It is very rare for muscle weakness to be the only sign of serious underlying disease.

What are the first signs of neuropathy in your feet?

It's important to see a GP if you experience the early symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. These include: pain, tingling or loss of sensation in the feet. loss of balance or weakness.

Why do I feel like my legs are going to give out?

Weakness in the legs may indicate a significant nerve problem. In many cases, it may be the first indication of a nerve problem. There are three common causes of nerve injury: low back disorders, nerve compression as it descends down into the hip, thigh, and shin and medical conditions such as diabetes.

What should I eat when my legs feel weak?

Nuts and Seeds: Nuts and seeds are like tiny treasure chests filled with valuable nutrients such as proteins, good fats, vitamins, and minerals. They are like superheroes that have a dual power when it comes to weak leg muscles. Proteins in nuts and seeds help repair senior's muscles so they can heal and grow stronger.

How long does it take to regain leg strength?

Most can expect to see noticeable muscle growth within eight weeks of starting a new strength training routine. Linking this with aches/pains/injuries when seeing your Physiotherapist, most people look for a quick fix and once they are out of pain then they think they are cured.

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