Caveman/woman brain will do it’s utmost to keep you alive, even if that involves mistakes at times …..
It seems likely that movement fires off nerve signals that your body will interpret as pain.Another possibility is shortening of tendons causes stiffness and this creates pain when you move. Whatever it might be, movement isn’t always easy.
You might find you carry your weaker arm in the same way as you might if you have dislocated it.
For walking however, it’s not quite so simple but I thought I would highlight items which you might do without really noticing.
- Walking with a stiff leg rather than your normal stride. This might also result in you “throwing” your leg forward to make a step.
- Walking with a limp
- Walking with short strides
- Shuffling
- Balance issues as your body tries to minimise strain on the “damaged” limb. You may notice this in particular with turning.
- Slower responses to normal.
- Strain on your good leg as it has to work harder than normal.
- Exact impact might depend on where the pain is perceived to be. Knee pain might have much more impact to hip pain.
- Numbness may cause significant issues and increase risks of a fall.
Items to try/consider
- Stretch, to see if you can make tendons click as they release. This might increase pain in the very short term.
- Don’t get cold as this may increase sensation levels
- Be aware increase in issues might arise after standing for a period.
- Sit to stand might be more difficult if numbness sensation develops in part of feet. Sensation of falling backwards or stood on tiptoes depending where sensation loss occurs.
- Carry objects of any weight may increase pain sensation.
- Walking abnormally is much harder. You may get tired much more quickly.
- Extend stride length and heel strike where possible. It’s easy for the body to forget how to walk normally when in pain for prolonged periods.
Please add any items in the reply that I may have missed…..every one is different.