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What Causes Tingling Sensation In Feet?

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Posted on Wed, 27 Aug 2014
Question: april 12th I fell roller blading on my right shoulder and hit my head. Surprisingly the next day nothing hardly hurt. Two weeks later I started my usual waterskiing and my shoulder and next really tightened up and stayed that way. Noticed a bump on SCJ and got diagnosis that I dislocated my Right Sternoclavicular joint. My Orthopedic Surg said nothing can be done but to let it heal on it's own. Two months later in Mid XXXXXXX both feet started to feel tingling and tight in my sneakers. Changed sneakers to older ones same thing. My feet feel tight in dress shoes and Nike sneakers. I have to wear hiking type Merrill's to not cause a numb feel. The tingling is 99% feeling like it's on the bottom of my feet and the symptoms have stayed the same. Some time late XXXXXXX my 4 and 5 finger and now my thumb a little is tingling as well. Still the same. I am very active with a physical job, competition waterskiing and nothing makes the symptoms change for the worse. I have stopped skiing for the time being however because of the stress on my back until this situation goes away

What's been done. Full blood work up with nothing there. An L and S section MRI of my back. My back exhibits narrowing, 3 bulging disc. A 58 year old back that has been used pretty hard I was told. I should mention that I've never had any other symptoms like back pain. I had L4-5 disc surgery in 1999. I am scheduled this week for an EMG and a cervical MRI.

My neurologist has not offered any theory as yet and "I" have requested all of the above test along with a meeting with a podiatrist who put my on 16 prednisone for the feet I'm 10 days in. She just emailed me to say that if the C section of the MRI report doesn't show anything significant that I should return to normal activities such as waterskiing. I'm curious for another opinion. I'm puzzled if her actions are indicating that this is not as serious as I am concerned about. like something Spinal or C Disc situation.

To summarize the symptoms are tingling on the bottom of the feet and are only aggravated with tight shoes. the 2-3 fingers in each hand are the same for two months as well

regards
doctor
Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (54 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Neuropathy seems to be the cause

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for posting
I have gone through your query and understand your concern. The tingling sensation in your feet may be caused by any disease which interferes with the blood and nerve supply of the legs. Although many medical conditions can cause this Diabetes is the most common cause leading to nerve damage that is neuropathy. But that has been ruled out in your case?
In neuropathy, the leg nerves tend to become damaged first, at their furthest ends in the feet. This leads to tingling and numbness in the feet as well.
Do you smoke and take alcohol because there consumption may lead to tingling sensation in feet.
Beside diabetes other common causes are-
Chronic kidney disease (uraemia)
Vitamin deficiency (vitamin B12 and occasionally vitamin B6)
Alcohol abuse
Low thyroid hormone levels
Vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels)

My advice for you would be get following blood test done to find out the cause - Thyroid profile, Level of vitamin B12, Blood urea and serum creatinine level, If not done.
Looking forward to your reply along with EMG/NCV study for lower limb and MRI of cervical spine.
Take care


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Mukesh Chugh (14 minutes later)
I have had a full blood work up and my thyroid was a little high at 530. No smoking and minimal alcohol.

Do you think the fall could have injured my neck nerves causing my symptoms?

I've heard of injuries like this called stingers? The tingling is in the hands as well
thank you XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (29 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
As follows

Detailed Answer:
Hello
It’s good to see you.
You are welcome. I have gone through your reply carefully and you may start treatment for high level of thyroid hormone, if your treating doctor agrees upon.
It is highly unlikely to have these symptoms because of fall. This will be confirmed by the proposed MRI of cervical spine.
In stingers injury there occurs trauma to spine (vertebral column) and spinal cord is safe. It occurs in contact sports like rugby, XXXXXXX football, and wrestling. Your symptoms do not look to be of stingers injury.
The tingling in hands and feet looks to be because of Neuropathy. Medically we call it “Gloves and stocking paresthesia”.
In some cases of neuropathy, it occurs without any cause (Idiopathic).
Hope this helps.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Mukesh Chugh (24 minutes later)
Hello Dr. Chugh
So high thyroidism can cause neuropathy? I thought it was a low reading.

you write that you suspect that the MRI will confirm the fall would not typically cause the symptoms and is it that you suspect the MRI will not reveal anything with the disc or nerves that could cause my symptoms?

what do you think of a 530 thyroid test result? is that high to cause the issue?

my neurologist has not offered much in the way of treatment or medications as yet
thanks again XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Send the detail thyroid report

Detailed Answer:
Hello
You are welcome.
I have gone through your reply carefully. Hyperthyroid and hypothyroid both can have the symptoms of neurological nature. since you have the numbness and tingling 2 months after the fall,it is highly unlikely to be the cause.Above all you are right,If fall is the reason behind your symptoms then a fracture of spine or bruise should have been there.
The sign and symptoms of slip disc /pinched nerve(diagnosed by MRI)are very different from your symptoms.
Regarding value 530,Is this TSH ? You may send the detail thyroid report with T3and T4 value.
Hope this suffices.
Take care
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Mukesh Chugh

Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement

Practicing since :1997

Answered : 1619 Questions

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What Causes Tingling Sensation In Feet?

Brief Answer: Neuropathy seems to be the cause Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for posting I have gone through your query and understand your concern. The tingling sensation in your feet may be caused by any disease which interferes with the blood and nerve supply of the legs. Although many medical conditions can cause this Diabetes is the most common cause leading to nerve damage that is neuropathy. But that has been ruled out in your case? In neuropathy, the leg nerves tend to become damaged first, at their furthest ends in the feet. This leads to tingling and numbness in the feet as well. Do you smoke and take alcohol because there consumption may lead to tingling sensation in feet. Beside diabetes other common causes are- Chronic kidney disease (uraemia) Vitamin deficiency (vitamin B12 and occasionally vitamin B6) Alcohol abuse Low thyroid hormone levels Vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels) My advice for you would be get following blood test done to find out the cause - Thyroid profile, Level of vitamin B12, Blood urea and serum creatinine level, If not done. Looking forward to your reply along with EMG/NCV study for lower limb and MRI of cervical spine. Take care