Numbness in Toes and Feet

Your feet carries the entire body weight throughout the day. If they go numb, you feel extremely uncomfortable. When it happens for a brief period of time after sitting in a cross-legged position for a long time or tying a tight bandage in the lower part of the leg, then you need not worry about it.

The reason being the blood flow to the feet is obstructed temporarily due to the awkward sitting position or the bandage. However, if the numbness persists and becomes so bad that you cannot walk or drive, then it is a cause of concern.

Numbness in feet is the lack of sensation in the upper and lower part of the feet and toes. This mostly happens when there is a communication gap between the nerves present in the feet and the central nervous system. As a result, the nerves fail to send out sensory impulses to the brain.

Nerve damage is one of the primary reasons behind the numb toes and feet. Prolonged diabetes can badly affect normal functioning of the nerves. This condition is also known as diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and it arises when the blood sugar level is not properly controlled.

Morton's neuroma often leads to this condition when running. It is commonly found in runners, and results from abnormal growth of thick scar tissue on the foot nerves because of repeated compression of the nerves by ill-fitting shoes.

This particularly makes the base of the third and fourth toes numb. Other causes of nerve damage are obesity, aging, side effects of medicines, deficiency of vitamin B12, etc.

A traumatic injury to the feet that leads to fracture in the bone or swelling in the soft tissues can be responsible for making the feet go numb. In this condition, the swollen part of the tissue or the fractured bone gets pressed against the nerve.

Those who have foot problems like flat feet or high arches often experience this problem as the abnormality in foot structure exerts an additional amount of pressure on the foot nerves.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a condition that arises due to pressing of the posterior tibial nerve of the feet when it passes the narrow tarsal tunnel that lies next to the ankle bone. There are several arteries, veins, and tendons present inside the tarsal tunnel.

Inflammation in these structural components due to sprain or varicose veins, tendonitis or growth of bone spur, can compress the tibial nerve inside the tunnel, leading to loss of sensation in the feet.

Bunion is a foot deformity that causes big toe numbness, but if left untreated it may affect the other toes as well. It occurs due to ill-fitting shoes and is more commonly found in women. Any circulatory disorder can also trigger this condition.

The peripheral artery disease restricts the normal blood flow to the feet as the arteries are clogged with fatty deposits. Similarly, in Raynaud's disease, the blood vessels get constricted because of exposure to extreme cold or stress, and blood flow to the feet gets affected, thereby causing lack of sensitivity.

Those who are suffering from kidney diseases or heart diseases often complain about numb feeling in the feet.

The treatment is based upon the underlying condition. Diabetics have to keep the blood sugar level in check with the help of medicines and diet. Any circulation disorder needs to be treated properly with suitable medicines and lifestyle changes, in order to get rid of this problem.

Those who are having vitamin deficiency are prescribed vitamin supplements to restore normal functioning of the nerves. If wrong footwear is the culprit, then podiatrists suggest wearing the right-fitting shoes. Sometimes, shoe inserts help a lot in correcting the foot-related problems.

Patients with compressed nerves are advised to take adequate amount of rest. It should be accompanied by the application of hot or cold compresses to reduce the swelling and inflammation. If required, pain relieving medicines are also prescribed for the same purpose.

Massaging of the feet is also of great help. However, if these methods of treatment do not yield results, then surgery is needed to release the pressed nerve. In some cases of Morton's neuroma, surgery is performed to eliminate the scarred tissue.

Loss of sensation in the toes and feet can be prevented to some extent by wearing the right kind of footwear. High-heeled shoes or narrow-toe shoes should be avoided. Shoes with proper support should be worn to protect the feet from injury while performing any physically-strenuous activity.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.