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What Causes Numbness In Feet After Strenuous Exercise?

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Posted on Sat, 11 Jul 2015
Question: I have numbness in my feet when I do strenuous (for me) exercise, like in Zumba class. It gets so bad I'm afraid I will trip/fall and hurt myself. The information online seems to indicate it would be neurological, I wondered if it could be a circulation problem. Am I ok to wait for my next check-up in September or October, or should I make an appointment with my doctor now?
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Answered by Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Foot numbness and management options

Detailed Answer:
Hi!

Welcome to health care magic!

I am Dr. Saddiq Ul Abidin. I have read your problem in detail and will try to help you in best way possible.

First of all, it is so sad that you have been having this issue lately. Based on the history, you have shared, yes it can be either neurological or problem with the circulation, but final verdict can be made after careful examination and running related tests.

The numbness can also be a normal part of physiological modification of the body in response to stressful exercises, as muscle fibres are getting streched and hypertrophied, as a part of adoptation, in a body which had not been under tough exercises previously.

However, unusual muscle stretches can lead to numbness in a set of muscles, if fatigue is beyond the usual flexibility of the muscle.

The nerves can also be stretched or traumatised during such exercises or vertebral column, which has otherwise got very fine anatomy, and can undergo such dislocations in discs of successive vertebrae causing compression of nerves, and symptoms can later be felt in the respective area supplied by that nerve.

You may be asked to undergo nerve conduction studies, lumbar spine radiographs, or MRI if Xrays are inconclusive. Also the need for doppler ultrasound of lower limbs may also be needed to confirm the blood flow in the legs. The levels of B12 and folic acid can also be needed to be checked.

For all these purposes, yes you need to accelerate your appointment, before hand. The appointments you have mentioned, are too late for this purpose.

Hope this has answered your query, if you have any more questions, feel free to ask. kindly rate me before closing, and leave your feedback if possible.

Regards,
Dr. Saddiq Ul abidin.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
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Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 3941 Questions

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What Causes Numbness In Feet After Strenuous Exercise?

Brief Answer: Foot numbness and management options Detailed Answer: Hi! Welcome to health care magic! I am Dr. Saddiq Ul Abidin. I have read your problem in detail and will try to help you in best way possible. First of all, it is so sad that you have been having this issue lately. Based on the history, you have shared, yes it can be either neurological or problem with the circulation, but final verdict can be made after careful examination and running related tests. The numbness can also be a normal part of physiological modification of the body in response to stressful exercises, as muscle fibres are getting streched and hypertrophied, as a part of adoptation, in a body which had not been under tough exercises previously. However, unusual muscle stretches can lead to numbness in a set of muscles, if fatigue is beyond the usual flexibility of the muscle. The nerves can also be stretched or traumatised during such exercises or vertebral column, which has otherwise got very fine anatomy, and can undergo such dislocations in discs of successive vertebrae causing compression of nerves, and symptoms can later be felt in the respective area supplied by that nerve. You may be asked to undergo nerve conduction studies, lumbar spine radiographs, or MRI if Xrays are inconclusive. Also the need for doppler ultrasound of lower limbs may also be needed to confirm the blood flow in the legs. The levels of B12 and folic acid can also be needed to be checked. For all these purposes, yes you need to accelerate your appointment, before hand. The appointments you have mentioned, are too late for this purpose. Hope this has answered your query, if you have any more questions, feel free to ask. kindly rate me before closing, and leave your feedback if possible. Regards, Dr. Saddiq Ul abidin.