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What Causes Numbness In The Left Foot?
Question: Month or longer have been experiencing numbness in left foot and occasionally leg.
Lost ability to stretch foot upward. Occasionally when walking foot gets caught because it does not extend,
Thank you
Lost ability to stretch foot upward. Occasionally when walking foot gets caught because it does not extend,
Thank you
Brief Answer:
Possible peroneal palsy
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
The symptoms you describe point towards a peripheral neuropathy, damage to a peripheral nerve. The muscles involved in your case, responsible for the dorsal flexion of the foot, are innervated by the peroneal nerve, so the first diagnosis to be considered would be peroneal neuropathy, peroneal palsy.
Another possibility would be a compression of the nerve root from which the peroneal nerve derives in the back. Usually in that case there would be some back pain so less likely.
The most common cause for peroneal palsy would be traumatic damage around the knee area or head of the fibular bone where the peroneal nerve passes close to the surface. At times even minor trauma such resting on it for a long time or crossing continuously the legs may damage the nerve in people who are prone. Another cause is metabolic damage from conditions such as diabetes, exposure to certain toxins, nutritional deficiencies etc.
However before searching the cause the diagnosis should be confirmed first. That is through physical exam and nerve conduction studies/electromyography test, you should discuss that with your physician.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Possible peroneal palsy
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
The symptoms you describe point towards a peripheral neuropathy, damage to a peripheral nerve. The muscles involved in your case, responsible for the dorsal flexion of the foot, are innervated by the peroneal nerve, so the first diagnosis to be considered would be peroneal neuropathy, peroneal palsy.
Another possibility would be a compression of the nerve root from which the peroneal nerve derives in the back. Usually in that case there would be some back pain so less likely.
The most common cause for peroneal palsy would be traumatic damage around the knee area or head of the fibular bone where the peroneal nerve passes close to the surface. At times even minor trauma such resting on it for a long time or crossing continuously the legs may damage the nerve in people who are prone. Another cause is metabolic damage from conditions such as diabetes, exposure to certain toxins, nutritional deficiencies etc.
However before searching the cause the diagnosis should be confirmed first. That is through physical exam and nerve conduction studies/electromyography test, you should discuss that with your physician.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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