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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Numbness In The Calves?

About 5 yrs ago i stood up from floor mattress during night in very dark room ,lost my balance, quickly twisted upper body to regain balance- was successful, felt no pain, went to toilet, returned to mattress o.k., went back to sleep o.k.. Next morning I stood up normally but noticed a totally new condition -a slight numbness in my legs- most noticeably in my calves. For over five years now this has been my standard story of how my numbness initiated along with its accompanying feeling of weakness . Many specialists & physical therapists later my condition -numbness/ weakness -has very gradually worsened. i recently had a backward fall resulting from a very surprising dog attack and find that my calves are noticeably number and my balance diminished. When i had suddenly noticed a dog silently almost at me , I tried to quickly jerk my outdoor walker to my left side to block the dog . In an instant felt the dog bite my right leg & simultaneously fell backward with my right hand and buttocks hitting the sidewalk first. I am trying physical therapy again but don t seem to be making progress. What therapy or tests or specialists might offer the most potential at this time?
posted on Thu, 29 Jun 2017
Twitter Sun, 19 Aug 2018 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 24 Aug 2018 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

The symptoms you have described that is numbness in the calf muscles along with balance problems indicate towards a neurological etiology. Most likely you had a nerve compression at the level of lumbar spine. I would advise you to get yourself checked by a neurosurgeon. He will do a clinical examination and may also advise for an MRI scan depending upon the results of your clinical examination. Treatment will vary according to your diagnosis.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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What Causes Numbness In The Calves?

Hello, The symptoms you have described that is numbness in the calf muscles along with balance problems indicate towards a neurological etiology. Most likely you had a nerve compression at the level of lumbar spine. I would advise you to get yourself checked by a neurosurgeon. He will do a clinical examination and may also advise for an MRI scan depending upon the results of your clinical examination. Treatment will vary according to your diagnosis. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.