Left leg grows numb: what to do?

2023 Author: Alfred Shackley | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 13:14

One of the most common signs of damage to the nervous system is limb numbness. In rare cases, the disease is associated with blood vessels and systemic diseases. What causes the left leg to go numb and how to cope with the problem?

Possible causes of numbness

Numbness of the lower extremities occurs with the following diseases:

• Lumboischialgia - the foot grows numb and pain occurs in the sciatic nerve zone;
• Herniated disc;
• Polyneuropathy - manifests itself in alcoholism and diabetes mellitus. In most cases, not only the left leg becomes numb, but also the hand;
• Raynaud's disease - the activity of small vessels is disrupted, resulting in a spastic reaction;
• Varicose veins and thrombosis;
• Stroke - especially common in patients over the age of 40;
• Multiple sclerosis;
• Morton's neuroma;
• Tunnel Syndrome;
• Frostbite or injury.

In 90% of cases, the left leg becomes numb as a result of the development of an intervertebral hernia. In order to avoid complications, you need to start treatment in a timely manner.

The therapy is carried out in a comprehensive manner and includes the following methods:

1. spine correction using manipulation methods;
2. treatment with medications - muscle relaxants or corticosteroids;
3. physiotherapy course, which includes ultrasound treatment and laser therapy;
4. specially designed exercise or kinesitherapy (new method). With dosed loads, the vertebral muscles are strengthened.

Why does the left leg and hand grow numb

Numbness of the trunk and limbs on the left side can occur as a result of a violation of the blood supply in the right hemisphere of the brain, that is, with a stroke. According to statistics, it is cerebral hemorrhage that is the most frequently diagnosed cause of the phenomenon.

As a rule, the lack of sensitivity is accompanied by impaired movement, speech and visual impairment.

Care should be taken by those who have a predisposition to the development of diseases associated with the brain.

Stroke provoking factors:

• atherosclerosis of the brain;
• excess weight;
• the rhythm of the heartbeat is disturbed;
• taking hormonal contraceptives;
• smoking abuse;
• thrombus formation (increased).

Other less common causes of numbness in the limbs of the left side of the body include the following diseases:

• brain cancer;
• migraine;
• traumatic brain injury;
• psychopathy;
• encepholitis;
• diseases associated with a violation of the myelin sheath of nerves. A striking example is multiple sclerosis.

The big toe on the left foot grows numb - reasons

The lumbar spine is responsible for the functioning of our limbs. If the numbness did not affect the entire leg, but only part - the finger, foot, etc., most likely the reason is hidden precisely in the pathologies of the lumbar region:

• inflammation of the sciatic nerve;
• violation of metabolic processes;
• spinal tuberculosis;
• developing gout;
• osteochondrosis;
• alcoholism.

Based on the above factors, it is impossible to find a single treatment. When the big toe on the left foot grows numb, only a specialist can prescribe a specific treatment. Almost any disease can develop a symptom. For example, a patient with diabetes mellitus will have to inject and take medications all his life. With osteochondrosis, the situation is different: the treatment process will be long. In this case, you will have to turn to manual therapy, medications, massage and even traditional medicine.

But most often, numbness of the big toe occurs as a result of bad habits. Alcohol and tobacco, getting into the body, unnaturally expand (constrict) blood vessels. Regular exposure ultimately leads to dysfunction of the limbs.

Numbness of the left leg from hip to knee

Wicking occurs in three typical zones:

1. The groin area on the left side is exposed to numbness and radiates to the upper thigh. The result is Roth syndrome. That is, when leaving the pelvis, nerve fibers are compressed;
2. Numbness in the area from the left thigh to the buttocks (behind). Clear signs of piriformis syndrome;
3. Numbness occurs over the knee, almost on the inside of the leg. In this case, the person feels a shooting pain.

All of these symptoms are associated with the degenerative-dystrophic process in the muscles. There is a violation of the innervation of the muscles and infringement in the narrow channels of the nerve fibers.

Left heel numbness: causes and consequences

In 80% of cases in people from adolescence to adulthood, the heel becomes numb due to the presence of a herniated disc. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine must be done to confirm the diagnosis. Refusal of medical care will lead to increased weakness and lameness. The left leg is also numb from the knee to the foot. As a result, a person will not be able to walk, stand on tiptoes and urgently need neurosurgical intervention.

To establish the reasons, it is necessary to pass blood tests, make an X-ray, an MRI of the lower back, brain, neuromyography, undergo a neurological examination and go to an ultrasound of the vessels.

Possible reasons:

• heel pain syndrome occurs during constant stress on the foot;
• splinters;
• bone fracture (talus);
• tumor;
• paresis of the foot;
• damage to the central nervous system as a result of multiple sclerosis or stroke.

Treatment:

1. spine correction using manual techniques. The goal is to restore the work of the PDS;
2. optimize motor stereotype;
3. eliminate the overload of the intervertebral discs, normalize muscle tone, observe the orthopedic regime;
4. reduce inflammation and tissue edema.

Compliance with the listed measures is sufficient to avoid complications and repeated exacerbations.

Before visiting a specialist, reduce the load on the heel area as much as possible: change shoes for spacious ones and beware of injury.

Why is the left leg numb below the knee

Numbness can occur when a person is asleep, seated, or while walking.

As a rule, the phenomenon is accompanied by concomitant symptoms:

• cramps begin in the lower leg;
• the lower part (under the knee) itches;
• the skin from the knee to the foot is also exposed to numbness;
• aching pain occurs;
• the manifestation of "goose bumps";
• leg swelling (especially when bending forward);
• pain in the buttocks and lumbar region;
• feet are freezing.

With the listed symptoms, experts make the following diagnoses:

• osteocondritis of the spine;
• spondylitis;
• intervertebral hernia;
• sciatica;
• spondylosis;
• sciatica;
• disc protrusion.

It should be understood that it is impossible to treat a separate part of the leg at the initial stage of the disease. Pronounced symptoms occur during the advanced stage of the disease. Treatment can only be started after a differential diagnosis. It is important to reduce the amount of physical activity and strictly follow the orthopedic regimen.

Many cases have been recorded when patients managed to completely get rid of the disease, but an untimely visit to a doctor complicated the situation. The longer a person suffers pain and numbness of the limbs, the higher the likelihood of neurosurgical intervention.