Which limb does ALS start? Can ALS cause lower back pain?

ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) does not have a specific pattern of starting in a particular limb. ALS can affect any part of the body, but it often starts in the hands, feet, arms, or legs.

While ALS primarily affects motor neurons and leads to muscle weakness, atrophy, and paralysis, lower back pain is not a common symptom associated with ALS.

The disease process in ALS only affects the nerve cells controlling strength (motor neurons) in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. These nerves don’t send pain signals back up to the brain.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a rare progressive neurological disease that affects the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement.

The treatment of ALS aims to slow down the disease progression, prevent complications, and improve the quality of life of people living with ALS. The risk of developing ALS increases with age and is higher for men than women.