Getting to the Root of Left Heel Numbness
Waking up one day unable to feel part of your foot can be alarming. But numbness or tingling in the left heel often results from pinched nerves or tissues rather than anything catastrophic.
Still, dismissing loss of sensation as trivial risks overlooking serious medical conditions needing treatment. Always consult a doctor about undiagnosed numb areas to determine underlying causes.
Sciatic Nerve Pinched by Herniated Discs
Pressure on the sciatic nerve radiating down the legs frequently manifests as numb heels. Bulging or slipped discs in the lower spine often trigger this nerve impingement.
Discs cushion vertebrae but wear down over time. Portions can buckle outward or rupture, protruding into the spinal canal. Good posture and core strength protects discs. See a doctor for pain medications, physical therapy, or referrals to spinal specialists or surgeons if needed.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
The tarsal tunnel houses nerve bundles traveling below the inner ankle to the foot. Anything compromising this narrow passageway cuts sensation.
Cysts, varicose veins, arthritis, injuries, or foot deformities put external pressure on nerves. Anti-inflammatory drugs combined with orthotics or splints may help but surgery releases trapped nerves if conservative treatments fail.
Plantar Fasciitis Stresses Heel Nerves
Micro-tearing and inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament running along the foot sole irritates adjoining heel nerves.
Straining from excess walking, running, or jumping causes most damage. Icing, taping, arch support inserts, night splints, physical therapy, casts, or steroid injections ease discomfort in mild cases. Last resort surgery detaches the ligament if tears persist.
Other Causes of Numb Heels
Beyond nerve issues, reduced lower limb circulation or vitamin deficiencies create numbness. And medical conditions like diabetes or multiple sclerosis damage protective nerve coatings.
Poor Blood Flow Restricts Nerve Function
Healthy circulation brings oxygen and nutrients needed to keep nerve fibers functioning. Constricted blood vessels in the lower extremities, often linked to smoking, cholesterol, or inactivity, disturb normal sensation.
Quitting smoking, exercising regularly, wearing compression socks, or taking vasodilators to open blood vessels helps. Significantly blocked arteries may need surgical grafts or stents to restore blood flow, however.
Nutritional Deficiencies Disrupt Nerves
Vitamin B12 aids nerve cell maintenance in the body. Low vitamin D also associates with heightened neuropathy pain. Even diabetes wired patients battling numbness benefit from vitamin B supplementation.
Boosting B12 intake through liver, fish, eggs, fortified grains or supplements should restore sensation once any deficiencies get corrected. Dont overlook diets role supporting nerve health.
Chronic Diseases Attack Nerves
Diabetes notoriously causes nerve damage in the extremities leading to shoe-like patterns of numbness. Multiple sclerosis (MS) likewise disrupts nerve communication through the central nervous system.
Both illnesses require medications and lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to minimize nerve disturbances. Physical therapy also helps MS patients regain sensation and coordination through damaged pathways.
When to Seek Emergency Care
While rarely indicating dire emergencies, some instances of heel numbness warrant prompt medical intervention.
Signs of Stroke
Sudden onset neuropathy without injury could signal a stroke as numbness sometimes manifests in feet before faces. Always get emergency care for any unilateral tingling plus trouble speaking, seeing, or walking.
Rapid stroke treatment within hours of first symptoms prevents lasting damage. Blood thinners can break up clots blocking brain blood flow causing temporary numb patches on one side of the body.
Cauda Equina Syndrome
Saddle numbness around both legs inner thighs, buttocks, and groin with bladder control issues indicates a surgical emergency called cauda equine syndrome.
It arises when discs, tumors, injuries, or spinal stenoses severely compress lumbar and sacral nerve roots. Left untreated, victims risk permanent lower body paralysis and incontinence. Only emergency decompression surgery avoids irreversible nerve injury.
So always seek emergency care for bilateral upper thigh/saddle numbness plus bladder, bowel or walking problems which could indicate this rare disorder.
Spreading Numbness
Progression of numb areas, especially rapidly ascending up limbs, demands urgent medical intervention too. Timely treatment helps halt symptoms indicating nerve-damaging conditions like Guillain-Barre syndrome or chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.
Intravenous immunoglobulin, plasma exchange, immunosuppressants, or physical therapy aims to minimize lasting neuropathy. So report spreading numbness to doctors immediately rather than waiting to see if it self-corrects.
Seeking Answers for Left Heel Numbness
Unexplained body numbness feels unnerving but try not to assume the worst-case scenario. In most instances, left heel numbness stems from compacted nerves or tissues rather than life-threatening illness.
Still, only specialized testing diagnoses underlying issues accurately. Consulting doctors about neuropathic symptoms provides needed answers plus appropriate treatments to resolve the numbness.
FAQs
Why do feet and heels go numb while sleeping?
Crossing legs and feet while sleeping compresses nerves. Weight pressing heels into the mattress also cuts off circulation and sensation. Use pillows preventing pressure points leading to neuropathy.
Can shoes cause numb heels?
Yes, wearing high heels shifts weight unnaturally to the heel ball compressing nerves. Tight shoes and thin soles likewise irritate feet. Wear wide properly fitted low-heeled shoes with cushioned arch support.
What vitamins help heel numbness?
B vitamins especially B12 maintain nerve cell health. Vitamin E improves circulation while magnesium calms overactive nerves. Vitamin D also strengthens nerves and muscles reducing foot neuropathy.
Can stress and anxiety cause temporary heel numbness?
Yes, stress and anxiety commonly manifest physical symptoms like neuropathy because excess adrenaline, cortisol, and inflammation damages nerves. Try relaxing activities to recover sensation.
FAQs
Is a numb heel an early sign of multiple sclerosis?
It can be, yes. Tingling or numbness in extremities often presents before other MS symptoms. See your doctor about abrupt onset neuropathy to assess possible MS links.
Can numb heels heal on their own?
Sometimes, if resulting from pinched or inflamed nerves. But identifying and addressing underlying causes through medical treatments speeds healing. Don’t ignore lasting heel numbness.
What numb heel exercises help regain sensation?
Rolling a tennis ball under the foot arch massages nerve pressure points. Towel scrunches exercise numb heels too. Walking properly stretches plantar fascia improving circulation.
Should I see a podiatrist or neurologist for numb heels?
See a podiatrist first to assess biomechanical causes like plantar fasciitis, foot deformities, or poor shoe choices. For nerve-based neuropathy without structural foot issues, consult a neurologist instead.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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