RT Book, Section A1 Jameson, J. Larry A1 Fauci, Anthony S. A1 Kasper, Dennis L. A1 Hauser, Stephen L. A1 Longo, Dan L. A1 Loscalzo, Joseph SR Print(0) ID 1167063574 T1 Weakness and Paralysis T2 Harrison's Manual of Medicine, 20e YR 2020 FD 2020 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9781260455342 LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1167063574 RD 2024/03/28 AB APPROACH TO THE PATIENTWeakness or ParalysissWeakness is a reduction of power in one or more muscles. Paralysis indicates weakness that is so severe that the muscle cannot be contracted at all, whereas paresis refers to less severe weakness. The prefix hemi- refers to one half of the body, para- to both legs, and quadri- to all four limbs. The suffix -plegia signifies severe weakness or paralysis.Increased fatigability or limitation in function due to pain or articular stiffness is often confused with weakness by pts. Increased time is sometimes required for full power to be exerted, and this bradykinesia may be misinterpreted as weakness. Severe proprioceptive sensory loss may also lead to complaints of weakness because adequate feedback information about the direction and power of movements is lacking. Finally, apraxia, a disorder of planning and initiating a skilled or learned movement, is sometimes mistaken for weakness.The history should focus on the tempo of development of weakness, presence of sensory and other neurologic symptoms, medication history, predisposing medical conditions, and family history.