Sitting in a position that exerts excessive pressure on the nerves or restricts blood flow may cause numbness in a person’s legs and feet.
Multiple sclerosis (MS), diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, or fibromyalgia may be responsible for chronic numbness or tingling in the legs and feet. According to South Valley Neurology, the feeling may be felt across the leg, below the knee, or in various parts of the foot.
In this post, we will look at some of the causes of numbness in the legs and feet, as well as symptoms and remedies.
Causes Of Leg And Foot Numbness
Long periods of crossing the legs may result in numbness and tingling in the legs and feet.
Because of poor posture, a person’s legs frequently go numb. Chronic or long-term numbness in the feet and legs, on the other hand, is nearly usually an indication of an underlying medical issue.
The following conditions are connected with foot and leg numbness:
Posture
The most common cause of transient numbness in the legs and feet is poor posture, which puts pressure on nerves or reduces blood flow in the lower limbs.
- crossing the legs for an extended length of time
- sitting or kneeling for an extended amount of time
- sitting on the feet
- wearing jeans, socks, or shoes that are too tight
Injury
Injuries to the trunk, spine, hips, legs, ankles and feet can place pressure on nerves, causing numbness in the feet and legs.
Diabetes
Diabetic neuropathy is a kind of nerve injury that occurs in some diabetics. Diabetic neuropathy can result in numbness, tingling, and discomfort in the feet and, in severe cases, the legs.
Sciatica And Lower Back Pain
Lower back problems, such as disc disintegration or herniation, can induce nerve compression in the legs, resulting in numbness or sensory difficulties.
If this nerve is inflamed or compressed, it might cause numbness or tingle in the legs or feet.
The Disease Of The Peripheral Arteries
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) causes the arteries in the legs, arms, and stomach to narrow, limiting the quantity of blood they can pump and decreasing blood flow. The legs are one of the most commonly affected body areas by PAD.
When walking or moving upstairs, most persons with PAD suffer discomfort and tightness in their legs and hips.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia patients may also have numbness and tingling in their hands and feet.
The majority of persons with fibromyalgia have a combination of symptoms, including:
- stiffness and pain for no apparent cause, especially in the morning or after sleeping; and
- persistent tiredness.
- memory issues and difficulties thinking clearly, often known as fibro-fog
- RLS (restless leg syndrome)
Almost everyone who has fibromyalgia has symptoms in more than one place of their body for at least three months. If numbness in the legs and feet is not accompanied by other symptoms and does not last for a lengthy period, it is unlikely to be caused by fibromyalgia.
Mini-Strokes And Stokes
Strokes and mini-strokes can harm the brain, affecting how the mind perceives and processes nerve impulses. A stroke or mini-stroke can result in temporary or long-term numbness in various regions of the body.
Symptoms
Numbness in the legs and feet may be accompanied by tingling or itchy sensations, and it is only one of several symptoms linked with both acute and chronic numbness.
Many persons who have numbness in their legs and feet suffer other symptoms concurrently or intermittently, such as:
- Tingling
- Burning
- Tickling
- Itching
- A crawling sensation beneath the skin
Treatment
The best therapy for numb legs and feet is dependent on the reason. In some cases, posture correction will completely eliminate the problem.
Medication
Medical numbness treatment for long-term limb and foot numbness includes:
- Antidepressants. Some antidepressants, such as duloxetine and milnacipran, are licensed to treat fibromyalgia.
- Corticosteroids. Some corticosteroids can help alleviate chronic inflammation and numbness caused by diseases like MS.
- Pregabalin With Gabapentin. Medications that block or change nerve impulses may improve numbness caused by fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, or diabetic neuropathy.
