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What Causes Sudden Numbness In The Foot?
Posted on
Wed, 21 Dec 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 21 Dec 2016
Answered on
Wed, 11 Jan 2017
Last reviewed on
Question : I'm 30 years old and about 4 months ago I had a full physical with blood work and everything came back healthy.
My question is, about three weeks ago I noticed that part of my right foot was numb. Not my whole foot, just parts of it. It seemed to get better but then it got numb again. This lasted for about 3 days then went away. There was no pain and I could walk fine. I could only feel the numbness when I touched it.
I was fine for the last few weeks, but it came back last night. I did noticed though that part of my ankle is numb though. Still No pain and I can walk fine. I did notice a few days ago though that when I touched the back of my ankle that there was a static sensation that ran up and down my leg. What could this be ?
My question is, about three weeks ago I noticed that part of my right foot was numb. Not my whole foot, just parts of it. It seemed to get better but then it got numb again. This lasted for about 3 days then went away. There was no pain and I could walk fine. I could only feel the numbness when I touched it.
I was fine for the last few weeks, but it came back last night. I did noticed though that part of my ankle is numb though. Still No pain and I can walk fine. I did notice a few days ago though that when I touched the back of my ankle that there was a static sensation that ran up and down my leg. What could this be ?
Brief Answer:
Impaired blood flow, or nerve dysfunction.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Numbness in one small area of the body may be related to conditions such as nerve compression ( tunnel syndromes), or impaired blood flow to that area.
When numbness lasts only few days, it may be caused by compression on nerve or blood vessels due to certain body positions during the sleep for example.
If numbness continues longer than few days and spreads, neurological conditions such demyelinating diseases should be considered and a through neurological examination should be performed by a neurologist.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Please let me know if I can assist you further.
Kind regards.
Impaired blood flow, or nerve dysfunction.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Numbness in one small area of the body may be related to conditions such as nerve compression ( tunnel syndromes), or impaired blood flow to that area.
When numbness lasts only few days, it may be caused by compression on nerve or blood vessels due to certain body positions during the sleep for example.
If numbness continues longer than few days and spreads, neurological conditions such demyelinating diseases should be considered and a through neurological examination should be performed by a neurologist.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Please let me know if I can assist you further.
Kind regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Thank you. So if I'm having numbness for a few days then goes away, and comes back weeks later in the same area, Could it be a demyelinating disease? Or nerve compression ( tunnel syndromes), or impaired blood flow to that area ?
How serious is nerve compression or impaired blood flow ?
What could cause these issues ?
Excessive alcohol use ?
How serious is nerve compression or impaired blood flow ?
What could cause these issues ?
Excessive alcohol use ?
Brief Answer:
Alcohol may damage nerves too.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Excessive alcohol use may cause nerves damage in the form of neuropathies, that may result in altered sensory symptoms, but these symptoms are more continuous.
Demyelinating disease may cause periodic neurological symptoms, but, besides sensory changes, other symptoms such muscles twitching, weakness, vision problems, balance issues etc. are present.
As I said before the nerves may be compressed by certain body or leg positions for a relatively long time.
These positions may alter blood flow too.
There is nothing serious in such cases.
If I were you, I wouldn't worry much more than necessary.
Hope this helps.
Greetings.
Alcohol may damage nerves too.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Excessive alcohol use may cause nerves damage in the form of neuropathies, that may result in altered sensory symptoms, but these symptoms are more continuous.
Demyelinating disease may cause periodic neurological symptoms, but, besides sensory changes, other symptoms such muscles twitching, weakness, vision problems, balance issues etc. are present.
As I said before the nerves may be compressed by certain body or leg positions for a relatively long time.
These positions may alter blood flow too.
There is nothing serious in such cases.
If I were you, I wouldn't worry much more than necessary.
Hope this helps.
Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
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