Dorothy FarrarSensory disturbances in the leg
Sensory disturbances in the leg can be of different nature and become noticeable in different places. Sensory disturbances that occur can present themselves as numbness, burning or tingling, as well as pulling or pain. In many cases, abnormal sensation in the leg is the result of an illness.
What are sensory disturbances in the leg?
In varying degrees of intensity, sensory disturbances in the leg can be experienced as very uncomfortable, either temporarily or permanently. If the cause is unclear, it should be clarified by a medical diagnosis within a reasonable period of time depending on the symptoms. Sensory disturbances in the leg can be of a harmless nature, but they can also provide a serious indication of a disease. Sensitivity disorders in the leg also include sensations of pronounced cold or heat.
The sensory disturbances can be derived from the blood vessels or nerve tracts. Discomfort can affect the entire leg or be limited to areas such as the upper or lower leg or the knee. A sensory disturbance in the leg can also occur as a sign of age-related wear and tear. Numbness is particularly debilitating . Stimuli such as touch are only perceived to a very limited extent. Sensory disturbances in the leg can have functional effects and limit mobility.
Causes
As a side effect of sporting activities, sensory disturbances in the leg can be the result of a muscular problem in the form of a strain, bruise or so-called “ muscle soreness ”. Leg discomfort can also be caused by a herniated disc. Sensitivity disorders in the leg, especially in the calf area, can be symptomatic in the presence of Restless Legs Syndrome (illness caused by restless, uncontrollable legs).
A sensory disorder in the leg can even hide a disease caused by multiple sclerosis. Unrecognized diabetes can also be the cause of impairments in the leg. In the long run, vascular changes due to an undersupply of oxygen and nutrients can cause noticeable problems. Numbness after a stroke, vein problems, a pinched nerve and circulatory problems can also lead to unpleasant sensations.
Heavy smoking over a long period of time can lead to significant leg problems (“smoker’s leg”). Sensory disturbances can also become noticeable, especially in the knee, due to arthrosis (age-related signs of wear and tear in the knee joint) or arthritis (inflammatory knee joint disease). If nerve fibers in the leg area are affected by a disease of the peripheral nervous system (polyneuropathy), this can also lead to sensory disturbances. Long-term nutrient deficiencies, especially vitamin B12 deficiency, can also cause tingling and numbness in the leg. The cause of sensory disturbances in the leg can also be found in the psychological area.
Diseases
When to the doctor?
The sensory disturbances in the leg can indicate problems with the nerves or vessels. These can only be adequately diagnosed and treated by a doctor. In severe cases, those affected suffer from multiple sclerosis. The disease is a disorder of the nervous system and has a highly progressive disease course. For this reason, a doctor should be consulted in good time.
Smokers’ leg can develop after a long-term period of smoking. The arteries are narrowed and there is a risk of thrombosis . The sensory disturbances in the leg are a first sign of a smoker’s leg and should be examined more closely.
If the person concerned does not suffer from sore muscles due to intensive physical activities, the sensory disturbances in the leg are an indication of serious illnesses. A doctor should always be consulted. There may be unrecognized diabetes or there may be a lack of important nutrients and messengers.
In severe cases, the sensory disturbances lead to numbness and other symptoms such as bleeding. This increases the risk of a life-threatening condition. If the sensory disturbances in the leg occur spontaneously and suddenly, the affected person can suffer a stroke. Loss of consciousness, numbness, speech problems or shortness of breath occur within a few seconds . An ambulance must be called immediately and first aid measures must be initiated.
diagnosis and course
Leg problems that occur as strains or “muscle soreness” after physical exertion usually do not require a sports medical or orthopedic examination and diagnosis. The sensory disturbances usually go away during a targeted recovery phase in a reasonable period of time without any major treatment effort. If a herniated disc is suspected to be the cause of abnormal sensations in the leg, an MRI examination can provide precise clarification.
Dietary surveys and blood tests can reveal nutrient deficiencies. Signs of wear and tear or inflammatory diseases in the knee joint require a specialist examination. In addition to a physical examination, blood tests and imaging methods can be used to determine the diagnosis. Diagnosis and treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) disease should be performed by a neurologist.
The diagnostic determination of suspected multiple sclerosis is difficult and time-consuming and requires several examination methods. If diabetes is found to be the cause of the leg problems, it must be treated immediately to counteract vascular damage. In the event of numbness, especially in connection with mobility impairments, a medical diagnosis must be obtained immediately.
treatment and therapy
Treatment of sensory disturbances in the leg is based on the identified cause. In the case of a nutrient deficit as the cause of the leg problems, a targeted change in diet , supported in the first phase by dietary supplements , creates the basis for a balanced, healthy diet . To avoid side effects, therapeutic measures such as acupuncture can be used to treat pain in inflammatory or age-related knee joint diseases.
Physiotherapeutic measures can also contribute to reducing the impairment of the knee joint. In the case of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), alleviation of the unnatural urge to move the legs with the active ingredients levodopa and dopamine agonists (substances with a similar effect to dopamine) is indicated. With a long duration of treatment, the problem of a reduction in effectiveness may arise. This can be expressed by the fact that the symptoms appear earlier and last longer.
The treatment of the underlying diseases in existing diseases as the trigger of the sensory disturbances is an important part of the therapy. This also applies to a specially necessary treatment of diabetes with the prescribed drugs. If varicose veins cause painful symptoms in individual cases, an operative measure can be considered. In addition, blood circulation-promoting agents can be considered depending on the cause of a circulatory disorder. In the case of severe muscle problems, massages and ointments that stimulate circulation can be useful.
outlook and prognosis
Sensory disturbances in the leg can manifest as tingling (pins and needles), burning or numbness and the prognosis depends on the cause of the symptom. It is often an orthopedic cause in the area of the lumbar spine that affects the nerve that supplies the leg in question and is causing the problems. The prognosis with regard to an improvement in the sensory disturbances in this leg then depends very much on how severe the disturbance is, how long it has existed, to what extent the nerve can regenerate and how effective the therapy of the treating physicians is.
Especially when both legs are affected by the tingling, this can also indicate a lack of certain micronutrients. If this is the case with vitamin B12, for example, the sensory disturbance can usually be easily eliminated by substituting the corresponding substance. Sensory disturbances such as feelings of weakness in the legs can also be the result of great excitement. They are then also associated with an excellent prognosis, since there is no serious organic cause for these sensory disturbances.
Serious diseases such as multiple sclerosis or a tumor can also trigger sensory disturbances in the leg. However, this is rarely the cause of these symptoms. A prognosis in these cases depends on the spontaneous course and the treatability of the underlying disease.
prevention
Regular endurance sports can be helpful to prevent circulatory disorders as a trigger for leg problems. In addition to increased exercise, a healthy diet and an appropriate body weight are always advantageous. This leads to an improvement in the metabolism, avoidance of nutrient deficits and helps to relieve the knee joints. It also reduces the risk of developing diabetes.
Avoiding stimulant toxins can also help to prevent symptoms. Prevention also includes proper lifting and carrying of heavy loads in order to avoid a herniated disc as much as possible. To avoid strains and sore muscles, an appropriate warm-up before starting sporting activities is used.
In order to avoid a dangerous imbalance in the psychological area , controllable stress factors should be prevented. This includes self-inflicted deadline and performance pressure as well as not getting enough sleep and relaxation. Learning and practicing relaxation techniques can be an important step on this journey.
A sensory disturbance in the leg represents an impairment of well-being and, in part, of mobility. It can also be associated with pain. In order to be able to take advantage of the opportunities to eliminate the annoying symptoms as quickly as possible, a medical diagnosis is often necessary. This also regularly results in the certainty that the abnormal sensations in the leg are not a symptom of a serious illness.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.