Muscle Function Loss
Alternate Names : Loss of Movement, Paralysis
What to Expect at your Health Care Provider's Office
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.
Medical history questions documenting paralysis in detail may include: - Location
- What part(s) of the body are affected?
- Is the loss all over?
- Is it on only one side of the body (hemiplegia)?
- Is it from the waist down?
- Is it from the neck down?
- Did it develop in a top-to-bottom pattern (descending paralysis)?
- Does it occur on both sides equally (symmetrical)?
- Is it only one specific part of the body?
- Is it the hips, legs, or feet (lower extremities)?
- Is there difficulty getting out of a chair or climbing stairs (hip or pelvis)?
- Is it the lower leg?
- Is it the thigh?
- Is it the knee?
- Is it the ankle?
- Does the foot drag or point towards the floor (footdrop)?
- Is it the shoulders, arms, or hands (upper extremities)?
- Is it the shoulder, upper chest, and upper arm (shoulder girdle)?
- Is it the arm?
- Is there difficulty lifting arm above head?
- Does it cause inability to extend or lift the wrist (wrist drop)?
- Is it the hand?
- Is there difficulty gripping (grasping)?
- Quality
- Time pattern
- Has there been a spontaneous recovery?
- Did it just develop recently?
- Are episodes occurring repeatedly (recurrent)?
- How long do episodes last?
- Is it getting worse (progressive)?
- Is it progressing slowly or rapidly?
- Does it become worse over the course of the day?
- At what age did this begin?
- Aggravating factors
- Is it worse after exertion or use?
- Is it worse during a period of rest after exercise?
- Is it worse after taking potassium supplements - oral?
- Relieving factors
- Is it better after you rest?
- Other
- What other symptoms are also present?
The physical examination may include detailed examination of the nervous and muscular systems.
Diagnostic tests that may be performed include: Intravenous feeding or feeding tubes may be required in severe cases. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy may be recommended.
After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a note related to paralysis to your personal medical record.
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