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Unable to bend leg
My mother, Rubina Malik, is 57 years old and has diabetes. She was enrolled in Practo’s Diabetes Reversal Program.
Her blood sugar readings from yesterday were:
Fasting/empty stomach: 123 mg/dL
Post-dinner: 188 mg/dL
She weighs around 54 kg and goes for a walk twice a day.
She is currently experiencing a problem in her left thigh/leg. She feels a tightness in the thigh, and she is unable to bend the leg properly. She also feels as if the veins or nerves in that area are under extreme pressure and might burst. The sensation is quite uncomfortable.
We consulted a local orthopedic specialist in Ratlam. The doctor gave her an injection, after which she felt some relief, and prescribed medicines. However, the problem has not completely resolved.
A local physiotherapist told us that there is no proper treatment for this problem. Her diabetes doctor from Practo has now prescribed Winnaxon Plus injection.
We want to understand what could be causing this problem and, most importantly, whether t
Answers (8)
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Thigh tightness with difficulty bending the leg can have several causes, including muscle, joint or nerve-related problems. Since she has diabetes and the symptoms are affecting her movement, the exact cause should be assessed rather than assuming it is simply a muscle problem.
Next Steps
Follow up with her treating doctor regarding the ongoing symptoms and prescribed medication/injection.
Get a physiotherapy assessment to check hip/knee movement, muscle strength and possible nerve involvement.
Once the cause is identified, a gradual mobility and strengthening program can be planned.
Health Tips
Avoid forceful stretching or trying to bend the leg through severe pain.
Continue gentle walking only as comfortable.
Avoid prolonged sitting and change position regularly.
Monitor blood sugar as advised by her doctor.
If there is sudden swelling, redness/warmth, severe worsening pain, new weakness/numbness, or difficulty breathing, seek urgent medical attention.
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Consult back online for proper assessment to suggest proper treatment
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Based on the symptoms described, the exact cause cannot be confirmed without a physical examination. Tightness and difficulty bending the knee/leg may arise from a muscle or tendon problem, knee joint inflammation, nerve irritation, or swelling around the thigh/knee.
However, because she has diabetes and describes significant pressure/tightness in one leg, it is important to rule out a vascular problem such as deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), particularly if there is swelling, warmth, redness or calf/thigh tenderness. Physiotherapy should not be started aggressively until this has been excluded.
Next Steps
She should be reviewed again by an orthopaedic doctor for examination of the hip, thigh, knee and neurological status. If there is unilateral swelling or clinical suspicion of DVT, a venous Doppler ultrasound may be required urgently.
Once serious vascular or acute medical causes have been ruled out and a musculoskeletal diagnosis is established, physiotherapy can certainly help. Treatment may include pain-relieving measures followed by gentle range-of-motion exercises, appropriate stretching and progressive strengthening, depending on the findings.
Health Tips
For now, avoid forceful knee bending, vigorous exercises or deep massage of the painful/swollen leg until DVT or another vascular problem has been excluded.
Seek urgent medical attention if she develops rapidly increasing swelling, redness/warmth, severe calf or thigh pain, chest pain, sudden breathlessness, dizziness or coughing up blood. Diabetes also makes timely assessment particularly important.
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Her symptoms—new thigh tightness, difficulty bending the leg and a feeling of pressure around the veins/nerves—need proper medical assessment before starting physiotherapy. In a person with diabetes, a vascular cause such as DVT should be ruled out urgently, especially if there is swelling, warmth or redness.
Next Steps
Once vascular/orthopaedic causes are ruled out, a physiotherapy assessment can identify the muscular or nerve-related component and guide safe mobility and strengthening exercises. I would not recommend continuing exercises or massage blindly until the cause is clarified.
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Dr. Saswati Nanda (PT)
Physiotherapist
12 yrs exp
Delhi
Hey there!
Please consult online with all reports. I want to examine few things.
Regards
Your physio
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Dr. Avijit Das (PT)
Sports and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
4 yrs exp
Kolkata
Hi please take a physical consultation near your clinic
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Dr. Shefali Gandotra (PT)
Physiotherapist
20 yrs exp
Jammu
Please consult online, so that physically I can have a look the problematic site
Next Steps
Maintain blood sugar levels
Health Tips
Consult online
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Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.