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What Causes Tingling And Numbness In Leg?
Question: I have tingling and numbness in my left leg and down to my foot. This has appeared over the last week.
I was diagnosed 5 years ago with some disc protrusion in L4-5 on left side and have had moderate/severe pain in lower back with some pain relief with hydrocodone/acetominaphen 7.5/325 . Over the last 3 years I have had 3 different steroid injections in my back with pain relief lasting ~ week. I am also diabetic.
About six weeks ago I began taking Meloxicam and am pleased that I have had very little back pain since taking the drug.
However, as I mentioned, I have suddenly begun to have tingling and numbness on my left side. I am worried what this could be.
I was diagnosed 5 years ago with some disc protrusion in L4-5 on left side and have had moderate/severe pain in lower back with some pain relief with hydrocodone/acetominaphen 7.5/325 . Over the last 3 years I have had 3 different steroid injections in my back with pain relief lasting ~ week. I am also diabetic.
About six weeks ago I began taking Meloxicam and am pleased that I have had very little back pain since taking the drug.
However, as I mentioned, I have suddenly begun to have tingling and numbness on my left side. I am worried what this could be.
Brief Answer:
it is mostly due to spinal problem.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM.
I can understand your problem and situation.
In my opinion, since it is left leg only, spinal cause appears more.
You may have worsening of protrusion of L4-5 which is causing compression of nerve root and cause tingling and numbness. Since you are taking meloxicam, you may not perceive pain of worsened protrusion (L4-5). But tingling and numbness are still there because meloxicam has no effect on it.
So one possibility is worsening of protrusion.
Another possibility is diabetic neuropathy. Due to long standing diabetes or uncontrolled diabetes, nerves are damaged and produce these tingling and numbness. But it is commonly seen bilateral (both lower limbs). But can be seen in isolated leg.
So let me know
1. Since how long you are suffering from diabetes?
2. Is your diabetes under control?
So your tingling and numbness can be due to either worsened protrusion or diabetic neuropathy.
Please reply me above questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
it is mostly due to spinal problem.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM.
I can understand your problem and situation.
In my opinion, since it is left leg only, spinal cause appears more.
You may have worsening of protrusion of L4-5 which is causing compression of nerve root and cause tingling and numbness. Since you are taking meloxicam, you may not perceive pain of worsened protrusion (L4-5). But tingling and numbness are still there because meloxicam has no effect on it.
So one possibility is worsening of protrusion.
Another possibility is diabetic neuropathy. Due to long standing diabetes or uncontrolled diabetes, nerves are damaged and produce these tingling and numbness. But it is commonly seen bilateral (both lower limbs). But can be seen in isolated leg.
So let me know
1. Since how long you are suffering from diabetes?
2. Is your diabetes under control?
So your tingling and numbness can be due to either worsened protrusion or diabetic neuropathy.
Please reply me above questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
I have had diabetes for 5 years. I take Metformin and Januvia. My last A1C was 7.
Brief Answer:
your diabetes is under control.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up question.
Your diabetes is under control. But 5 years of diabetes can cause diabetic neuropathy.
But in your case , I think it is worsening of protrusion of L4-5.
So better to get done repeat MRI of lumber spine and consult orthopedic surgeon. You may require physiotherapy and medicines for neuritic pain like methylcobalamin and pregabalin. Since all these are prescribed drugs, you need doctor's prescription.
So consult orthopaedic surgeon and discuss all these.
Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries, than please close the conversation and rate the answer.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
your diabetes is under control.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up question.
Your diabetes is under control. But 5 years of diabetes can cause diabetic neuropathy.
But in your case , I think it is worsening of protrusion of L4-5.
So better to get done repeat MRI of lumber spine and consult orthopedic surgeon. You may require physiotherapy and medicines for neuritic pain like methylcobalamin and pregabalin. Since all these are prescribed drugs, you need doctor's prescription.
So consult orthopaedic surgeon and discuss all these.
Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries, than please close the conversation and rate the answer.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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