7 Most Common Causes for Leg Numbness
This content was medically reviewed by Baher S. Yanni, MD, on September 16th, 2021.
What causes numbness in the legs and feet? We have many potential answers for you. In many cases, these issues have a spine-related cause that we can address. Discover how the spine can cause leg numbness and where to get help.
Pinched Nerve
Your spinal cord consists of delicate nerves that allow the brain and body to communicate. When pressure pinches one of your spinal nerves, it can interfere with the messages sent to your legs. As a result, you can feel pain, tingling or numbness in one or both of your legs. Pinched nerves need immediate treatment to avoid long-term problems.
Sciatica
Sciatica occurs as a result of a pinched spinal nerve root. A nerve called the sciatic nerve runs down your lower back and legs, and it affects both these areas when compressed. Pain from sciatica usually affects only one side of your body and radiates from your lower back to the back of the leg.
Herniated Disc
The spine has individual bones called vertebrae that are cushioned with soft discs. When a disc undergoes too much pressure, its soft interior can push through its exterior wall. While some people with herniated discs feel no symptoms, others experience numbness or weakness in an arm or leg. A herniated disc may also cause severe pain.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis causes the bone around the spinal cord to narrow, putting extra pressure on the nerves. Age, arthritis, injuries, disc problems and other issues can result in the spine narrowing. When the bone presses on certain nerves, you can experience sciatica or other forms of nerve pain in your legs.
Foraminal Stenosis
The nerves in your back travel through entrances in the vertebrae called foramina. Multiple issues can result in these passages narrowing and pressing on the inside nerves, which is known as foraminal stenosis. Foraminal stenosis in the lower back vertebrae create symptoms such as numbness in the legs, buttocks and feet.
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis occurs when one of your vertebrae moves out of place. Patients of any age can experience this condition, which can occur to various degrees. The misaligned vertebra puts pressure on your nerves, resulting in back and leg pain. It can also create numbness in one or both legs.
Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Dysfunction
The sacroiliac (SI) joint is located where your pelvis and spine meet. When the SI joint becomes misaligned, you can feel pain, tingling and numbness in your legs and lower back. SI joint dysfunction often grows more severe over time, making it imperative to get treatment right away.
Let Us Help You Find the Source of Your Leg Numbness
Leg numbness has many possible causes, and most cases occur due to overlapping problems. A back pain management specialist will identify and resolve the issue.
At the Spine INA, we examine all aspects of your pain and how it affects your well-being. We specialize in least-invasive spine procedures and personalized treatment. Seek our help today by completing our online appointment scheduling form. Feel free to choose from three different offices across New Jersey.
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I have herniated and digeretaive disc. L5 s1 nerve was compressed . It has been 7 weeks , 1 week after epidural, is it common for left foot to still be numb. Pain is subsiding and moving a lot better and swimming but foot still numb .Please answer
Hey Rachel! Thanks for reaching out to us – please give us a call so we can discuss!
I have had weird light feathery tingling in both legs by knees and shins. Could this be early sign of MS. I’m hoping this is rather a pinched nerve. Please help.
Hey Connor! We’d love to schedule a virtual appointment with you – feel free to fill out a form on our site!
I have a numbing feelings all in and around my right knee cap! I jumped to catch a football and jarred my back into a spasm I think!!? Any advice anyone?
Hey Bobby! Give us a call so we can learn more! We’d love to help.
I have degenerative changes in disc from past 6 months and heavy back pain and for last three days i have leg numbness heavily what can i do now please answer very quickly
Hi there! Please fill out a form on our site so a member of our team can reach out to you directly!
I dropped an iPad on my right foot years ago but never got treatment because the pain went away. But my right leg is getting consistently numb and my right foot feel like I am wearing a sock all the time. Could I have pinched a nerve when the iPad fell?
Hey Emma! Please give us a call and we can schedule a virtual appointment!
For the past 2-3 months my entire spine has been hurting and when I’m sitting in a chair or laying down on my back my legs go completely numb then they tingle for a couple hours the back pain NEVER goes away I was diagnosed with a backwards S spine when I was a little girl. I also have heart problems (4 or them)…
Hi Mileena! Thanks for reaching out to us. We’d be more than happy to chat more with you to discuss possible solutions! Please give us a call at your convenience.
i have numbness in my left and fight leg but my left leg is more numb and i cant flex my foot upward it feels paralysed. It started off with mild numbness in my left calf and foot but it was still functional and it was like that for a couple days and then i went to sleep and woke up and my legs were numb and ice cold and i couldn’t walk . i’m scared and don’t have money to see a doctor what should i do
Hi Vanessa! Please give us a call – we offer telehealth appointments and would love to learn more!
I have a L4L5S1 Disc Herniation with disc protrusion causing sciatic nerve compression causing immense pain and numb lef limb from buttocks to two fingers in feet, I am from India can you help me ?
Hey there! We’d be happy to help out with answering any questions you may have – please give us a call to learn more.