What Causes Numbness In Buttocks And Thighs While Walking?

Posted on Sat, 1 Aug 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 1 Aug 2015 Answered on

Wed, 26 Aug 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi I am having numbness in the bottom of my buttocks and top of my thighs while walking. My legs become heavy and it goes away when sitting.my health history includes diabetes and vascular issues secondary to diabetes. About six months ago I had a endoditectomy on the right side. After that is when I began with this numbness in my legs. My vascular surgeon said that the numbness has to do with my lumbar discs which I injured years ago. I never had back surgery but lots of pain mngment. Today no pain just numbness. So I guess my question would be is it only spinal or is it also vascular? What do I do next and who do I see about this condition.

Answered by Dr. Suresh Heijebu (51 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Symptoms relate to spinal issues.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Madam,

I understand your concern.

Your symptoms primary/directly point to a Spinal cause.

This is referred to as sciatica.

Vascular causes only exacerbate your primary symptoms.

All you need to do is to get an MRI scan of the lumbar spine at the earliest.

This scan can assess the degree of Disc prolapse and spinal cord compromise secondary to compression.

The treatment in all such cases is Surgical intervention.

Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar