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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Numbness In Leg After Long Journey In Flight?

Hi,
I was on a long haul flight from Australia to Edinburgh. Whilst on the flight I got a numb leg just below my knee at the front of the leg there is no pain and was minimal swelling but the leg is still numb and it's been 7 days since the flight. Any advise would be welcome ..?
Tue, 13 May 2014
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello dear,

The symptoms as mentioned in your post can be due to:

1. Compression of nerve fibers and blood vessels due to maintenance of same posture during the long haul flight.
2. Entrapment of nerve fibers at the Lumbosacral spine or lower limbs.
3. Dietary deficiencies of certain nutrients like Iron, Calcium, Vitamin D, Vitamin B 12, Folic acid, etc. which help in blood formation & nerve conduction.
4. Peripheral neuropathy secondary to any fluctuation in blood pressure or blood sugar levels.

Symptomatic relief can be obtained by intake of nervigenic agents (like Vitamin B6, Vitamin B 12, Folic acid) as well as multivitamin & multimineral supplements including iron, calcium & Vitamin D needs to be added in your diet.
Physiotherapy & postural exercise will also be helpful.

If symptoms still persist, kindly consult a Neurologist & get a complete Neurological examination done.
Certain investigations like complete blood count, serum electrolyte estimation, fresh estimation of blood pressure & blood sugar levels, Doppler scan of lower limb blood vessels & nerve conduction studies will be helpful to rule out any pathological cause for the symptoms.

Wishing you a Good Health.
Take care.
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What Causes Numbness In Leg After Long Journey In Flight?

Hello dear, The symptoms as mentioned in your post can be due to: 1. Compression of nerve fibers and blood vessels due to maintenance of same posture during the long haul flight. 2. Entrapment of nerve fibers at the Lumbosacral spine or lower limbs. 3. Dietary deficiencies of certain nutrients like Iron, Calcium, Vitamin D, Vitamin B 12, Folic acid, etc. which help in blood formation & nerve conduction. 4. Peripheral neuropathy secondary to any fluctuation in blood pressure or blood sugar levels. Symptomatic relief can be obtained by intake of nervigenic agents (like Vitamin B6, Vitamin B 12, Folic acid) as well as multivitamin & multimineral supplements including iron, calcium & Vitamin D needs to be added in your diet. Physiotherapy & postural exercise will also be helpful. If symptoms still persist, kindly consult a Neurologist & get a complete Neurological examination done. Certain investigations like complete blood count, serum electrolyte estimation, fresh estimation of blood pressure & blood sugar levels, Doppler scan of lower limb blood vessels & nerve conduction studies will be helpful to rule out any pathological cause for the symptoms. Wishing you a Good Health. Take care.