Paresis is a condition relating to the partial impairment of voluntary movements. It affects people of all ages. Muscles become weakened and movements are restricted.

There are different types of paresis depending on which part of the body is affected.

Quadriparesis – restricted movement and weakness of all limbs
Paraparesis – restricted movement and weakness in the legs and pelvic floor.
Hemiparesis – one half of the body is affected – one side of the face, the upper and lower limb of the same side of the body
Monoparesis – weakness and restricted movement in one limb

Symptoms of paresis are varied and depend on the main cause. A key symptom is weakness of a certain limb, which may be accompanied by pain, tingling and reduced sensitivity. In some cases, paresis may turn into paralysis, i.e. the full loss of movement.

One of the most frequent causes of paresis is stroke and damage to the spinal cord. It may also occur in some limbs if the patient has disc herniation. The other causes are:

neurological conditions
autoimmune conditions
malignancies
poisoning, radiation
infectious disease, etc.

Usually, paresis comes on suddenly when the cause is a stroke or traumatic injury. It may develop gradually when brought on by a medical condition.

Physiotherapy aims to improve movement span, muscle strength and quality of life.