What Causes Sharp Pain Followed By Numbness In Foot?

Posted on Sun, 23 Aug 2015

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

Sun, 23 Aug 2015 Answered on

Mon, 14 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I straightened out my leg the other day and felt a sharp pain from my knee down to my foot, kind of like when you hit your funny bone in your elbow. In a minute or two the bottom 1/2 of my foot went numb and is still numb today. It has been 5 days since this occurred.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Can be due to nerve compression.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The sharp pain followed by numbness is likely to be related to a nerve compression. Usually such nerve compression symptoms do recover on their own in a few days with rest and change in posture. In case the symptoms are persistent then do consult a neurologist and get MRI scan of the lower back done and get your Vitamin B 12 levels evaluated.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal

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