10. Spinal lesion or tumor
A spinal lesion or tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue surrounding or within your spinal cord or column. Spinal tumors can be noncancerous or cancerous. They can originate in the spinal column or spine or spread there from another site.
The most common symptom is back pain, which increases with activity or worsens at night. If the tumor presses on a nerve, it can cause sudden leg weakness or numbness in the arms or chest.
Treatment depends on the location and type of the lesion or tumor and whether or not it’s cancerous. Some options to resolve sudden leg weakness include radiation therapy, chemotherapy to shrink the tumor, or surgery to remove the tumor.
If you liked our article on the causes of sudden leg weakness, you may also want to read 10 Early Signs of Osteoarthritis You Shouldn’t Ignore.
