Numb fingers and toes - physiological and pathological reasons, what can be done to help

When a person feels numbness in their legs

, this means that the sensitive part of the peripheral nerve is affected. Not only sensitivity is lost, but also burning and tingling, tightness, “cottoniness”, goosebumps, coldness, sometimes the accuracy of movements is impaired and a feeling of uncertainty when walking and dizziness occurs. The nerves of the lower limb are numerous, begin in the spinal cord, and branch along their course into many branches. The legs receive nerve impulses through both large (femoral, sciatic, tibial) and small nerves. The central analyzer of sensitivity is the structures of the brain.

The nerves of the lower limb can directly receive mechanical damage (for example, bony outgrowths of the vertebrae, so-called osteophytes, “ossified” ligaments, herniated intervertebral disc), and also be damaged as a result of the inflammatory process or metabolic (metabolic) disorders. CELT doctors, who have modern diagnostic equipment at their disposal, will help you find the cause.

At CELT you can get advice from a neurologist.

• Initial consultation – 3,500
• Repeated consultation – 2,300

Make an appointment

Do you always need to see a doctor?

There is no need to worry only if there is numbness

left or
right leg
occurs once after an uncomfortable position (what is popularly called “served time”). Soon after the physiologically normal posture is restored, the numbness should also disappear. Other harmless reasons include:

• Hypothermia - the human body reacts to cold starting from the lower extremities, so it is best to keep them warm;
• Wearing ill-fitting shoes that are too tight or narrow can lead to numbness in your toes
  ;
• Bearing a fetus - a symptom occurs due to an increase in the volume of fluid in a woman’s body;
• A sedentary lifestyle and frequent sitting leads to numbness in the feet
  and legs below the knee.

In all other cases, especially when numbness recurs regularly, it is imperative to look for the cause. Most likely, some pathological process is occurring in the body, and given the extreme “fragility” of nerve fibers and the complexity of their regeneration, delaying diagnosis can lead to irreversible consequences. The following points should be of particular concern:

• there is no obvious reason for the numbness, but it often recurs;
• problems with coordination arise, the leg “clings” or “stammers”;
• walking becomes difficult;
• difficult or impossible to distinguish between warm and cold;
• worries about weakness or dizziness;
• urination is impaired.

These symptoms may indicate a circulatory disorder in the nervous system, that is, they may be signs of a stroke. Or they may indicate acute damage to the nervous system of some other etiology. With such disorders, the timing of medical care is important. For example, if it is possible to restore blood flow in the brain during the first three hours, then there may be no consequences in the form of paresis or paralysis or speech impairment. Modern medical technologies used in CELT make it possible to help those who had no chance yesterday.

Why can the tips of my toes go numb?

Factors contributing to the development of paresthesia (decreased sensitivity) may include:

• injuries, including minor ones (for example, due to wearing shoes that are too tight);
• neurological disorders, in particular after head or spinal injuries;
• spine pathologies;
• spinal cord injury;
• nerve compression;
• circulatory disorders, vascular diseases;
• endocrine pathologies;
• joint diseases.

It must be taken into account that diseases can be combined. For example, decreased sensitivity can be caused simultaneously by a disease of the spine and circulatory disorders.

Etiology

Most common causes of numbness in the legs

consist in the presence of pathological processes in the spine - however, this is not all. The etiology of this symptom may be as follows:

• arthritis;
• pathological conditions of a systemic nature;
• multiple sclerosis;
• blood flow disturbances.

The area in which the feeling of numbness is localized will help to more accurately determine the cause.

Causes of numbness of the torso

• Numbness of the sacrolumbar region: osteochondrosis, spondylolisthesis, radiculitis, sprains or dystrophy of the back muscles, renal failure, pregnancy, diseases of the internal genital organs of women, prostate diseases in men, tumors of internal organs.

• Numbness of the middle of the back, shoulder blades, shoulder joints, accompanied by pain: diseases of the spine (osteochondrosis, listhesis, spondylosis, spondyloarthrosis, kyphosis), glenohumeral periarthritis, coronary heart disease, intercostal neuralgia, Sprengel's disease.


Clinical manifestations

In pathological conditions, numbness of the legs is a symptom that is always accompanied by a number of others. Depending on the etiology, they may be different, but the general picture is approximately as follows:

• Feeling of heaviness in the lower extremities;
• Gait disturbances;
• Inability to distinguish cold from hot;
• Fatigue, constant weakness and weakness;
• Tingling and goosebumps;
• Cramps and increased pain at night;
• Sudden and sharp appearance of pain in the chest and spine;
• Itching and burning of the skin, sometimes blueness;
• Severe headaches and dizziness.

Complications and consequences of numbness in the legs

The consequences of numbness in the legs are very diverse, leading to a wide range of complications. They depend on the cause that led to the malaise. The main thing that the patient needs to understand is that the presence of frequent numbness is not the norm, this is a very dangerous symptom that requires immediate consultation with a doctor. Timely examination will help protect against serious consequences.

Complications preceded by numbness of the legs:

• loss of tissue sensitivity, partial or complete;
• loss of limb mobility;
• dysfunction of the pelvic organs;
• leg deformity;
• gangrene;
• necrotization of intervertebral hernia.

Diagnostics

The use of modern instrumental diagnostic methods makes it possible to establish the cause quickly enough. Doctors have the following methods in their arsenal:

• radiography - reveals bone deformations, calcifications and other dense formations;
• - allows you to examine the bones and substance of the brain and spinal cord, and other soft tissues;
• MRI - detects defects in almost all structures, the vascular mode gives an objective picture of blood flow;
• electroneuromyography (ENMG of the lower extremities) - reveals defects in neuromuscular transmission;
• Ultrasound or sonography detects cysts, tumors and other formations, allows you to evaluate the structure of blood vessels;
• general clinical and biochemical blood tests.

CELT doctors have accumulated vast clinical experience, daily comparing data on various diseases. Specialists will be able to find out the exact cause of suffering and suggest the most effective method of treatment so that everything ends in recovery.

Self-help and self-diagnosis

To answer the question of what to do if your toes go numb, you need to understand the causes of this condition. Loss of sensitivity in the fingers, local increase in temperature, swelling and decreased mobility may indicate a disease of small joints: arthritis, arthrosis or gout. Arthrosis and arthritis are characterized by a slow and gradual increase in symptoms. With gout, the toes go numb and burn, swell greatly, while the discomfort is paroxysmal in nature and is accompanied by an increase in temperature. If these symptoms occur, you should consult an orthopedist or rheumatologist. What to do if your toes go numb due to uncomfortable shoes:

• perform a light foot massage;
• take a warm bath with sea salt.

These actions relieve discomfort, but it should be remembered that constantly wearing unsuitable shoes often leads to the development of degenerative diseases of the joints of the lower extremities. Osteochondrosis, spondylosis, arthrosis of the spine, protrusions and hernias, tumors in the spine and soft tissues can also cause numbness in the fingers. All of these diseases can cause circulatory problems, nerve compression, and spinal cord damage. The following symptoms are typical for numbness of the fingers caused by spinal pathologies:

• decreased mobility;
• impaired coordination of movements;
• crunching, clicking when moving;
• pain in the back and chest;
• headache;
• changes in hearing, vision;
• dizziness;
• periodic “disobedience” of the limbs;
• causeless weakness;
• pressure surges.

If such signs appear, it is important to consult a neurologist or orthopedist as soon as possible. Without treatment, dangerous complications such as paralysis, spinal cord damage and cerebral hemorrhage may develop. In case of foot injuries, numbness and pain, as well as changes in the shape of the finger and skin color, swelling may not appear immediately, but several hours or in the morning after sleep. If these symptoms are detected, urgent assistance from a traumatologist is required. In the case of pathologies of the cardiovascular system, paresthesia is usually combined with coldness of the legs, the appearance of hematomas without bruises, a pronounced vein pattern and the formation of spider veins. If such signs are detected, you should visit a therapist or phlebologist.

Treatment

Any numbness that occurs several times over a short period of time—a week or a month—requires consultation with a doctor. The sooner the cause is identified, the greater the chances of a positive outcome. You need to understand that a nerve is a dynamic formation that has its own extremely complex physiology. For severe damage to nerve tissue, intense exposure to any pathogenic factor for just a few minutes may be enough, and nerve regeneration takes months. The nerve can be kept healthy or fully restored only if measures are taken in time.

Treatment of numbness in the legs

, first of all, is aimed at eliminating the cause that caused this symptom. Its selection is carried out individually, based on diagnostic data, situation and indications of the patient. The treatment itself is carried out in a complex and may include the following:

How to treat numbness in fingers

There is no single course of therapy. To begin with, the doctor examines the patient, finds out the true cause, and only after that can make some therapeutic prescriptions.

Treatment of numbness in the fingers and toes is always long-term, since first they get rid of the root cause (treatment of the underlying disease) and only after that they begin to restore the blood supply to the fingers and toes.

A feeling of numbness in the fingers of the lower and upper extremities can be a physiological norm and a symptom of a developing disease. If such a condition occurs once and does not recur with enviable regularity, then no specific treatment will be required. Regular numbness in your fingers is a reason to immediately visit a doctor and undergo a full examination.

Related services: Consultation with a neurologist Cardiological Check-up

Prevention

In order to eliminate such a manifestation as numbness of the legs, you must adhere to simple rules, which are as follows:

• Rejection of bad habits;
• Reducing salt intake;
• Active lifestyle;
• Proper, balanced nutrition;
• Providing the body with all the microelements and vitamins it needs;
• Avoiding high-heeled shoes or keeping them to a minimum;
• Sports activities;
• Attention to your health;
• Timely seeking professional help if certain symptoms occur.

MC CELT specialists give a positive prognosis for timely treatment of numbness in the legs. Trust your health to professionals!

Make an appointment through the application or by calling +7 +7 We work every day:

• Monday—Friday: 8.00—20.00
• Saturday: 8.00–18.00
• Sunday is a day off

The nearest metro and MCC stations to the clinic:

• Highway of Enthusiasts or Perovo
• Partisan
• Enthusiast Highway

Driving directions

Causes of numbness of the head, face, lips

• The skin on a certain area of ​​the face goes numb: trigeminal neuralgia, herpes zoster, Bell's palsy (accompanied by pain behind the ears and increased hearing).

• Numbness of the entire head with decreased muscle tone and impaired movement of the muscles of the face and larynx: stroke.

• Numbness of the head: migraine, hypertensive crisis, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, brain tumors.

• Numbness of the lips and tongue: allergic reaction to foods, consequences of accidental ingestion of chemicals (acid, alkali), injuries and pathologies of jaw development, neuralgia of the glossopharyngeal nerve (with irradiation to the throat and ear), stroke, transient ischemic attack, brain tumor, fungal infections oral cavity, vitamin B12 deficiency (B-deficiency anemia), long-term use of hormonal steroids, active smoking.