Leg numbness is a very common complaint, particularly among older adults with existing nerve or circulatory problems. Besides total numbness in your legs, you may experience other symptoms as well, like tingling, pins and needles sensations, or burning sensations. At Macomb Pain Management, our team of pain management doctors is here to give you the answers you need to common complaints like leg numbness and to help you find effective treatments to meet your pain management goals. We’ll take a closer look at some of the more common causes of leg numbness and how our team can help you manage this common symptom.
How Nerves and Blood Flow Affect Leg Sensation and Numbness
Typically, when a patient experiences leg numbness, whether walking or sitting, it is most commonly caused by a nerve or blood flow issue. Nerves transmit important signals between the brain, spinal cord, and legs, and when they are compressed, damaged, or impaired by another factor, it is very common to lose sensation in the extremities, like the legs. Poor circulation in the legs can also deprive nerves and muscles of the vital nutrients and oxygen they need to perform at their best. Walking can worsen leg numbness or trigger numbness as it increases demands on muscles and nerves that may be damaged or not receiving proper circulation. Certain medical conditions can also worsen or flare up when you walk for extended periods of time, triggering numbness and other sensations in the legs. We’ll take a closer look at these medical conditions that often present with leg numbness that worsens when walking.
Common Causes of Leg Numbness When Walking
While several different medical conditions can present with leg numbness that worsens with walking, some are more common than others. We’ll break down some of the more common medical conditions that cause leg numbness in our patients at Macomb Pain Management.
Spinal Stenosis and Leg Numbness
Spinal stenosis is one of the more common causes of leg numbness while walking. Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal column, which can lead to compression of nerves, triggering leg numbness and other symptoms like:
- Tingling
- Weakness
- Pain that worsens while walking and improves when sitting
If you are dealing with leg numbness caused by spinal stenosis, our team at Macomb Pain Management can help you manage your symptoms and maintain your mobility.
Herniated Discs and Nerve Compression
Herniated discs are another common cause of leg numbness that worsens when walking. Throughout our vertebrae, there are soft discs that separate the individual vertebrae, acting as cushions and helping prevent friction. When a disc slips or becomes damaged, it can compress on nearby nerves, causing leg weakness and other symptoms, including:
- Pain
- Weakness
- Pain that worsens with movement
At Macomb Pain Management, our team works with patients to help them manage the pain and leg numbness that is caused by herniated discs, and we can do the same for you. To get started, give our team a call today to set up your first appointment.
Get Help With Leg Numbness at Macomb Pain Management
If you’re dealing with leg numbness that makes it difficult for you to walk, work, or stay active, Macomb Pain Management’s team of board-certified pain management doctors is here to help. To get started, give our office a call today at (248) 844-8281 to set up your first appointment.
