Why numb leg

If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. A person may feel numbness in their legs and feet due to sitting in a position that puts too much pressure on the nerves or reduces blood flow. However, long-lasting or unexplained numbness may be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Long-term numbness or a tingling feeling in the legs and feet may be due to conditions such as multiple sclerosis MS , diabetes , peripheral artery disease , or fibromyalgia.

The sensation may be felt in the whole leg, below the knee, or in different areas of the foot. In this article, we look at some of the reasons why a person might experience numbness in the legs and feet, along with symptoms and treatments. However, chronic or long-lasting numbness in the feet and legs is almost always a sign of an underlying medical condition. Postural habits that put pressure on nerves or reduce blood flow in the lower limbs are the most common cause of temporary numbness in the legs and feet.

Injuries to the torso, spine, hips, legs, ankles, and feet can put pressure on nerves and cause the feet and legs to go numb. Some people with diabetes develop a type of nerve damage called diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy can cause numbness, tingling, and pain in the feet, and if severe, the legs as well.

Problems in the lower back, such as a breakdown or herniation of spinal discs, can cause compression of the nerves going to the legs, leading to numbness or sensory disturbances. Sciatica is the name for irritation of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back to the legs. If this nerve becomes irritated or compressed, a person may experience numbness or tingling in their legs or feet. Tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs when a nerve that runs down the back of the leg and along the inside of the ankle and into the foot is compressed, squeezed, or damaged.

The tarsal tunnel is a narrow space on the inside of the ankle. People with tarsal tunnel syndrome tend to feel numbness, burning, tingling, and shooting pain in their ankles, heels, and feet. Peripheral artery disease PAD causes the peripheral blood arteries in the legs, arms, and stomach to narrow, reducing the amount of blood they can pump and reducing blood flow. The legs are one of the most common parts of the body impacted by PAD.

Most people with PAD experience pain and cramping in their legs and hips when they are walking or going upstairs. Some people with PAD also experience leg numbness and weakness. Tumors, cysts , abscesses, and benign non-cancerous growths can put pressure on the brain, spinal cord, or any part of the legs and feet.

Leg pain may be caused due to a problem in the lower back, the pelvis, or a problem that originates within the leg. Common causes of pain in one or both legs include:. Watch Cauda Equina Syndrome Video. Watch Metastatic Spinal Cancer Video. The above list includes several common symptoms that co-occur with leg pain but is not meant to be complete. The course of leg pain depends on the underlying cause. If the pain becomes chronic and neurological symptoms such as weakness and numbness persist or worsen, surgery may be recommended.

See Lumbar Radiculopathy The outlook for leg pain and numbness from other conditions depends on the severity and progression of the underlying cause. Watch Treatment for Lumbar Radiculopathy Video. Leg pain may be associated with serious underlying conditions and need immediate treatment to preserve the function of the affected leg.

Red-flag symptoms may include one or a combination of the following:. These symptoms may indicate serious conditions such as infection, tumors, cauda equina syndrome, abdominal aortic aneurysm, or severe nerve damage. Leg pain may be treated by various types of medical professionals. Eat a healthy diet and avoid too much alcohol.

Some alternative therapies, such as massage or acupuncture, might also help. If your numbness is caused by a vitamin deficiency, your doctor may advise you to take supplements. Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. Read more on Better Health Channel website. Numb or cold feet, pins and needles, a burning sensation or dry skin can all be signs that diabetes is affecting your feet.

When someone close to you dies it may seem like everything has been turned upside down. You may feel shock, disbelief, numbness, sadness, anger Read more on Tune In Not Out website. Read more on Brain Foundation website. Neuropathy in diabetes also called diabetic nerve damage or diabetic neuropathy is temporary or permanent damage to nerve tissue in people with diabetes mellitus.

Symptoms depend on which nerves are affected. Read more on myDr website. Foot care Looking after your feet When you have diabetes you need to take care of your feet every day Having diabetes can increase your risk of foot ulcers and amputations Daily care can prevent serious complications Check your feet daily for changes or problems Visit a podiatrist annually for a check up or more frequently if your feet are at high risk Why?

Your feet are at risk because diabetes can cause damage to the nerves in your feet, blood circulation and infection. Read more on Diabetes Australia website. Raynaud's disease causes spasm of the arteries leading to fingers and toes, causing them to feel numb and turn white, blue and red then tingle and feel painful. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a disorder of the hand caused by pressure on the median nerve as it runs through the wrist. Read more on WA Health website.

Authors' conclusions: This review was complicated by a lack of generally accepted diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of TOS. Read more on Cochrane Australasian Centre website. Read more on InsideRadiology website. Often, the mismanagement of low back pain involves unnecessary treatments that do more harm than good.