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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Tingling Sensation In Spine, Left Calf And Foot?

I m having a tingling sensation in my left calf and foot especially when I walk or after exercise. I m due to have a colonoscopy in 3 days and didn t know if I should go ahead with it. A nerve test a couple of months ago showed the tingling was coming from my spine and I did physcial therapy for a few treatments and it seemed to help, but the pain and tingling is back more than before. It doesn t bother me when I m sitting or sleeping just when I walk and exercise.
Wed, 25 Feb 2015
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Radiologist,  's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.

The nerves of the lower back, calf and foot originate in the spine. The nerves arise from nerve roots which then combine in different permutations and then form a nerve that transmits nerve impulses. Since your nerve conduction studies have shown that the tingling is coming from the spine, it is possible that there is problems involving discs in the lower back at single or multiple levels and this disc displacement is causing pressure over the nerve roots. When a particular nerve supplying an area like calf and foot is compressed at the roots, then the patient experiences tingling and pain which appears to be involving the areas supplied by that nerve. This is what is happening to you. It will help to get a MRI scan of lower back and then discuss the areas of possible nerve root compression with your doctor. Physical therapy helps in most patients with mild tingling and pain. Some patients also require nerve pain relievers for treatment. During sitting or sleeping the nerve roots are not irritated and therefore you do not feel the symptoms. You can go for colonoscopy which is due in 3 days. Please do not worry.
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What Causes Tingling Sensation In Spine, Left Calf And Foot?

Hi, Thanks for writing in. The nerves of the lower back, calf and foot originate in the spine. The nerves arise from nerve roots which then combine in different permutations and then form a nerve that transmits nerve impulses. Since your nerve conduction studies have shown that the tingling is coming from the spine, it is possible that there is problems involving discs in the lower back at single or multiple levels and this disc displacement is causing pressure over the nerve roots. When a particular nerve supplying an area like calf and foot is compressed at the roots, then the patient experiences tingling and pain which appears to be involving the areas supplied by that nerve. This is what is happening to you. It will help to get a MRI scan of lower back and then discuss the areas of possible nerve root compression with your doctor. Physical therapy helps in most patients with mild tingling and pain. Some patients also require nerve pain relievers for treatment. During sitting or sleeping the nerve roots are not irritated and therefore you do not feel the symptoms. You can go for colonoscopy which is due in 3 days. Please do not worry.