8. Muscle Weakness and Spasticity: The RRMS Grip on Physical Strength
Muscle weakness, often accompanied by muscle stiffness or spasticity, can be debilitating for someone with RRMS. It’s not merely about reduced physical strength; it’s about a profound alteration in one’s ability to control and move their body parts.
Initial manifestations might be subtle. Tasks that were once easy and taken for granted, like opening a jar or climbing stairs, suddenly become daunting challenges. This decrease in strength isn’t just a result of muscle wastage, but primarily due to the disruption in nerve signals responsible for muscle coordination and movement.
Further complicating the picture is spasticity. This increased tone or stiffness in muscles can cause pain, reduce mobility, and even lead to joint deformities. In RRMS, spasticity arises due to the interrupted flow of electrical impulses along damaged nerves. (8)
