What causes numbness and tingling in the leg?
Pressure on a nerve somewhere along its path, from the spine down to the foot, or a body-wide problem that affects nerves.
MedlinePlus lists many possible causes. They fall roughly into three groups:
| Where the problem is | Examples | Typical pattern |
|---|---|---|
| The spine | Herniated or bulging disc, bone spurs, spinal stenosis | Usually one leg; follows a nerve's path; may come with back or buttock pain |
| The leg itself | Pressure on a nerve near the knee or hip, sitting with legs crossed | A patch of numbness; often tied to position |
| The whole body | Diabetes, low B12 or other B vitamins, alcohol, some medicines, poor circulation | Often both feet, starting in the toes |
How do I know if it's coming from my back?
Spine-related numbness usually affects one leg, follows a line down the leg, and often comes with low back or buttock pain.
Each nerve root in the low back supplies a strip of skin. When a disc presses on one root, symptoms tend to follow that strip: the outer calf and top of the foot, or the back of the thigh and the sole, for example. This is called lumbar radiculopathy, or sciatica when it follows the sciatic nerve (Cleveland Clinic).
Clues that point toward the spine:
- It started with, or along with, low back pain.
- It gets worse with sitting, bending forward, coughing or sneezing.
- It's on one side only.
Numbness in both feet that creeps up from the toes is more typical of a body-wide nerve problem such as diabetic neuropathy. Decompression is not a treatment for that.
What will an exam check?
Strength, reflexes and feeling in each leg, plus how movement changes your symptoms.
- Walking on your heels and toes, to test strength (MedlinePlus).
- Reflexes at the knee and ankle.
- Light touch along the leg and foot to map the numb area.
- A straight-leg raise. Leg pain when the straight leg is lifted suggests a low back disc (MedlinePlus).
Your doctor may also order blood tests or nerve studies if a body-wide cause is possible. Imaging is usually reserved for warning signs or symptoms that don't improve. See do I need an MRI?
Will the numbness go away?
Often, as the irritated nerve settles over weeks, but numbness can lag behind pain.
Many people find their leg pain eases first and numbness fades more slowly. Weakness that is getting worse, or numbness that keeps spreading, is a reason to be seen promptly rather than wait. Protect a numb foot from cuts and burns, since you may not feel an injury (MedlinePlus).
When is spinal decompression considered?
When numbness is likely caused by a disc pressing on a nerve root, there are no warning signs, and other care hasn't settled it.
Decompression is a slow, motorized stretch of the spine meant to ease pressure on a disc and nerve. It's non-surgical. It isn't used for numbness from diabetes, vitamin deficiency or circulation problems, and people with severe peripheral neuropathy are generally not candidates (who isn't a candidate). Research on decompression is limited and results vary. Dr. Gordon Stapel, DC will examine you, review any MRI and tell you plainly if it isn't a good fit.
Call (801) 491-8688 or request a free consultation below.
Leg numbness FAQs
Can a herniated disc cause leg numbness?
When is leg numbness an emergency?
Can leg numbness come from something other than the back?
Will the numbness go away?
Is spinal decompression used for leg numbness?
Ask about leg numbness or tingling
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This website is operated for Stapel Family Chiropractic (Springville Disc Center) in Springville, Utah. Care is provided by Dr. Gordon Stapel, DC, a licensed chiropractic physician. About this site.