Tingling in the Lower Leg | 10 Causes of Lower Leg Tingling | Buoy (2024)

Medications, drugs or toxins

Many medications, drugs, and toxins can cause unpleasant effects lower leg tingling is one possibility. Certain chemotherapy drugs cause damage to the nerves in the arms and legs and can be associated with leg tingling. Excessive alcohol intake can also lead to nerve damage long-term. Exposure to toxins like lead, mercury, and arsenic can also lead to tingling in the lower leg(s).

This list does not constitute medical advice and may not accurately represent what you have.

Vertebral osteomyelitis

Vertebral osteomyelitis, or spinal osteomyelitis, is an infection in the bones of the spine. It usually affects the lumbar, or lower, back, and may be either acute or chronic.

The infection is caused by bacteria, most commonly Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and by some types of fungi. These agents can travel through the bloodstream from an infected wound elsewhere in the body and reach the bones of the spine.

Most susceptible are those with weakened immune systems; poor circulation; recent injury; or undergoing hemodialysis. Osteomyelitis of the spine is the most common form of osteomyelitis in adults, though children can also be affected.

Symptoms include swelling, redness, and pain at the site of the infection, along with fever, chills, and fatigue.

A medical provider should be seen for these symptoms, as vertebral osteomyelitis can progress to abscess and cause further complications if not treated.

Diagnosis is made through blood tests, imaging of the spine, and sometimes biopsy.

Treatment involves several weeks of intravenous antibiotic or antifungal medication, which can be given as an outpatient.

Rarity: Rare

Top Symptoms: upper back pain, spontaneous neck or back pain, fever, foot numbness, upper leg numbness

Urgency: Hospital emergency room

Stroke or tia (transient ischemic attack)

Transient ischemic attack, or TIA, is sometimes called a "mini stroke" or a "warning stroke." Any stroke means that blood flow somewhere in the brain has been blocked by a clot.

Risk factors include smoking, obesity, and cardiovascular disease, though anyone can experience a TIA.

Symptoms are "transient," meaning they come and go within minutes because the clot dissolves or moves on its own. Stroke symptoms include weakness, numbness, and paralysis on one side of the face and/or body; slurred speech; abnormal vision; and sudden, severe headache.

A TIA does not cause permanent damage because it is over quickly. However, the patient must get treatment because a TIA is a warning that a more damaging stroke is likely to occur. Take the patient to the emergency room or call 9-1-1.

Diagnosis is made through patient history; physical examination; CT scan or MRI; and electrocardiogram.

Treatment includes anticoagulant medication to prevent further clots. Surgery to clear some of the arteries may also be recommended.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: dizziness, leg numbness, arm numbness, new headache, stiff neck

Symptoms that never occur with stroke or tia (transient ischemic attack): bilateral weakness

Urgency: Emergency medical service

Restless legs syndrome (RLS)

Restless Legs Syndrome, also called RLS or Willis-Ekbom Disease, is a neurologic and sensory disorder. It causes uncomfortable sensations in the legs that are only relieved by walking or by moving the legs.

The cause is not in the legs but in the brain. One theory is low levels of iron in the brain.

RLS may be hereditary. It is more common in women than in men, especially in middle age. It may get more severe as the person gets older.

Symptoms may happen only a few times a week and are usually worse at night.

There will be an irresistible urge to move the legs in order to relieve the uncomfortable sensations; difficulty sleeping, with daytime exhaustion and inability to concentrate; and sometimes depression and anxiety due to the effect on quality of life.

Diagnosis is made through patient history and physical examination. Blood tests and sleep studies may be done.

Treatment involves first addressing any underlying medical condition, such as iron deficiency. In some cases, anti-seizure medications can be helpful.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a chronic condition that reduces blood flow in the arteries, usually arteries that lead to the legs. This reduced blood flow happens when clumps of fat (called plaques) build up inside these arteries, causing them to narrow. Symptoms include leg numbness, foot and thigh pain, cold feet, and muscle fatigue. These symptoms often occur when walking or exercising. The risk of developing PAD is higher in those who smoke or have diabetes. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, being overweight, and not getting much exercise also can put one at higher risk.

You should consider visiting a healthcare provider in the next two weeks to discuss your symptoms. Your provider can evaluate PAD with a review of your symptoms and a physical exam. An MRI may be performed as well. Once diagnosed, treatment involves medication, surgery, or procedures to open or bypass blocked arteries. Lifestyle changes regarding diet, exercise, and smoking cessation may also help.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: leg numbness, spontaneous foot pain, decreased exercise tolerance, cold feet, thigh pain

Symptoms that never occur with peripheral arterial disease (pad): calf pain from an injury, thigh pain from an injury

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a disease of the central nervous system. The body's immune system attacks nerve fibers and their myelin covering. This causes irreversible scarring called "sclerosis," which interferes with the transmission of signals between the brain and the body.

The cause is unknown. It may be connected to a genetic predisposition. The disease usually appears between ages 20 to 50 and is far more common in women than in men. Other risk factors include family history; viral infections such as Epstein-Barr; having other autoimmune diseases; and smoking.

Symptoms include numbness or weakness in arms, legs, or body; partial or total loss of vision in one or both eyes; tingling or shock-like sensation, especially in the neck; tremor; and loss of coordination.

Diagnosis is made through patient history, neurological examination, blood tests, MRI, and sometimes a spinal tap.

There is no cure for MS, but treatment with corticosteroids and plasma exchange (plasmapheresis) can slow the course of the disease and manage symptoms for better quality of life.

Rarity: Rare

Top Symptoms: severe fatigue, constipation, numbness, decreased sex drive, signs of optic neuritis

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Herniated (slipped) disk in the lower back

A herniated, ruptured, or "slipped" disc means that a vertebral disc – one of the soft pads of tissue that sit between each of the vertebral bones – has becomes squeezed out of shape. Its cushioning material has been forced against, and possibly through, the ring of fibrous tissue that normally contains it. This causes pain, numbness, and weakness in the legs.

The normal aging process causes the discs lose moisture and become thinner, making them more vulnerable to "slipping."

Most susceptible are men from ages 30 to 50. Smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, and improper lifting are also risk factors.

Symptoms include pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling in the back, leg, and foot.

Diagnosis is made through patient history, neurological examination, and MRI scan.

Treatment begins with rest, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, and sometimes epidural steroid injections into the back to ease pain and inflammation.

Surgery to remove the herniated part of the disc – the part that was squeezed out of place – can also be helpful.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: lower back pain, moderate back pain, back pain that shoots down the leg, back pain that gets worse when sitting, leg weakness

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Fibular nerve injury

The fibular nerves are also known as the peroneal nerves. Fibular nerves run from the lower spine all the way down the back of the leg, ending at the heel. If the are damaged or compressed, this can result in a condition known as foot drop.

The fibular nerves can be damaged through surgery, especially hip replacement or total knee replacement; any injury to the knee or low back; or neurologic diseases such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease.

Foot drop means that the person is unable to flex the foot upward from the ankle, because the fibular nerves that control this voluntary movement have been damaged. There may also be pain, numbness and weakness in the foot, and difficulty walking.

Diagnosis is made through physical examination, nerve conduction studies, and imaging such as x-ray or MRI.

Treatment involves using orthotics, which are specially made shoes, supports, and braces for the foot; physical therapy; and sometimes surgery to decompress or otherwise help repair the nerve.

Rarity: Uncommon

Top Symptoms: pain in the distribution of fibular nerve, numbness in fibular nerve distribution, difficulty walking or weakness with foot dorsiflexion

Urgency: Wait and watch

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a set of chronic symptoms that include ongoing fatigue, diffuse tenderness to touch, musculoskeletal pain, and usually some degree of depression.

The cause is not known. When fibromyalgia appears, it is usually after a stressful physical or emotional event such as an automobile accident or a divorce. It may include a genetic component where the person experiences normal sensation as pain.

Almost 90% of fibromyalgia sufferers are women. Anyone with rheumatic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, may be more prone to fibromyalgia.

Poor sleep is often a symptom, along with foggy thinking, headaches, painful menstrual periods, and increased sensitivity to heat, cold, bright lights, and loud noises.

There is no standard test for fibromyalgia. The diagnosis is usually made when the above symptoms go on for three months or more with no apparent cause.

Fibromyalgia does not go away on its own but does not get worse, either.

Treatment involves easing symptoms and improving the patient's quality of life through pain medications, exercise, improved diet, and help with managing stressful situations.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: fatigue, arthralgias or myalgias, anxiety, depressed mood, headache

Symptoms that always occur with fibromyalgia: arthralgias or myalgias

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Diabetic neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is the damage done to nerve fibers in the extremities by abnormally high blood sugar. Anyone with diabetes is at risk for peripheral neuropathy, especially if the person is overweight and/or a smoker.

Symptom include pain, numbness, and burning in the hands, arms, feet, and legs; muscle weakness; loss of balance and coordination; and infections, deformities, and pain in the bones and joints of the feet.

Peripheral neuropathy can develop very serious complications, since the high blood glucose prevents any infection or damage from healing as it should. This can lead to ulcerated sores, gangrene, and amputation. For this reason, signs of peripheral neuropathy are considered a medical emergency and the person should see a medical provider as soon as possible.

Diagnosis is made through sensitivity tests and nerve conduction studies.

There is no cure for diabetic neuropathy, but the symptoms can be managed in order to slow the disease and help restore function. Treatment will include lifestyle improvements and the use of pain medication.

Chronic idiopathic peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy refers to the feeling of numbness, tingling, and pins-and-needles sensation in the feet. Idiopathic means the cause is not known, and chronic means the condition is ongoing without getting better or worse.

The condition is most often found in people over age 60. Idiopathic neuropathy has no known cause.

Symptoms include uncomfortable numbness and tingling in the feet; difficulty standing or walking due to pain and lack of normal sensitivity; and weakness and cramping in the muscles of the feet and ankles.

Peripheral neuropathy can greatly interfere with quality of life, so a medical provider should be seen in order to treat the symptoms and reduce the discomfort.

Diagnosis is made through physical examination; blood tests to rule out other conditions; and neurologic and muscle studies such as electromyography.

Treatment involves over-the-counter pain relievers; prescription pain relievers to manage more severe pain; physical therapy and safety measures to compensate for loss of sensation in the feet; and therapeutic footwear to help with balance and walking.

Rarity: Rare

Top Symptoms: distal numbness, muscle aches, joint stiffness, numbness on both sides of body, loss of muscle mass

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Why does my lower leg tingling occur with walking or exercise?

Lower leg tingling with walking can be associated with diseases that affect the blood vessels in your legs. Claudication is the term used to describe pain or tingling in your lower legs with walking, caused by a partial blockage of the blood vessels in your legs. When you walk or exercise, the muscles and nerves in your legs need more blood flow, and when blood flow is blocked, you can feel a cramping, aching and/or tingling pain.

What does it mean if my lower leg tingling gets worse with exercise?

Lower leg tingling that worsens with walking or exercise may also be due to a spinal issue. Spinal stenosis refers to a narrowing of the spinal cord and a slipped/herniated disk occurs when the soft, jelly-like substance between the bones of your backbone bulges out and creates pressure on the spine or a nerve. Either of these problems can cause lower leg tingling that is worse with movement and better with rest.

Why does my lower leg tingling get worse at night or when I lay down?

Lower leg tingling that is worse at night, with rest, or while lying down may be due to restless leg syndrome. Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is characterized by uncomfortable or unpleasant sensations in the leg(s) that may be tingling, burning, itching, aching, or a creepy-crawly feeling. These sensations cause an urge to move the legs when lying down, and usually, movement decreases the symptoms of RLS. Peripheral artery disease due to a narrowing or blockage in the blood vessels in your legs can also cause worsening leg tingling and/or pain at night because when lying down, the blood flow to your legs decreases even more.

How can I tell if my lower leg tingling is associated with a stroke?

If your lower leg tingling is sudden in onset and associated with numbness, weakness/paralysis, arm numbness, vision problems, trouble with balancing or trouble speaking, these may be symptoms of a stroke and you should immediately seek medical attention.

What other symptoms associated with a tingling lower leg can indicate a serious condition?

If your tingling lower leg is also associated with sudden, severe back pain, trouble with balancing, sudden changes in bladder or bowel control, and numbness or weakness in one or both legs, buttocks, inner thighs, or back of your legs, this could be symptoms suggesting your spinal nerves are being compressed and you should seek medical attention immediately.

Questions your doctor may ask about tingling lower leg

  • Do you have trouble sleeping?
  • Are you sleepy during the day?
  • Have you been experiencing an unpleasant urge to move your legs?
  • Are your symptoms worse during the late afternoon or night?

Self-diagnose with our free Buoy Assistant if you answer yes on any of these questions.

Tingling in the Lower Leg | 10 Causes of Lower Leg Tingling | Buoy (2024)

FAQs

Tingling in the Lower Leg | 10 Causes of Lower Leg Tingling | Buoy? ›

Medications, drugs or toxins

What is tingling in lower legs a symptom of? ›

Numbness or tingling in the legs may feel like pins and needles after sitting the wrong way or fatigue after standing too long. A numb leg is usually not a big deal, but it may sometimes be a sign of an underlying cause, such as a pinched nerve, herniated disc, or condition like diabetes or lupus.

How to stop tingling in legs? ›

Treatments for numbness in the legs and feet might involve taking medication to treat the underlying cause. Some home remedies may also help. These include resting, massage, hot or cold therapy, and using supportive devices.

What neurological disorders cause tingling in legs? ›

Many conditions can cause numbness and tingling. Examples include MS, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, stroke, CTS, and more. Usually, the severity, frequency, and location of symptoms depend on the cause. They can affect the legs, feet, hands, fingers, arms, or face.

How do you know if your tingling is serious? ›

Go to a hospital or call 911 or the local emergency number if: You have weakness or are unable to move, along with numbness or tingling. Numbness or tingling occur just after a head, neck, or back injury. You cannot control the movement of an arm or a leg, or you have lost bladder or bowel control.

What deficiency causes tingling in legs? ›

Vitamin B12deficiency symptoms may include: strange sensations, numbness, or tingling in the hands, legs, or feet. difficulty walking (staggering, balance problems) anemia.

When should I see a doctor for leg tingling? ›

See your doctor if your limb is numb for a long time which is not caused by your posture, especially if you have any other symptoms such as: muscle spasms. a rash. your leg numbness is worse when you walk.

What does MS leg tingling feel like? ›

Numbness or Tingling

It might have been the first MS symptom you experienced. You may notice that you have less feeling when touching something with your hand. The sensation in one leg may be different from the other. You may have a pins-and-needles sensation, as if your limb were “asleep.”

What autoimmune disease causes tingling in legs? ›

Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis are among the autoimmune diseases that can be associated with peripheral neuropathy. Symptoms can range from numbness or tingling, to pricking sensations (paresthesia), or muscle weakness.

What cancers cause tingling in legs? ›

Myeloma, which may produce abnormal proteins that damage nerves and bring about numbness in the legs. Prostate cancer, which may cause numbness in the feet and legs from tumors pressing on the spinal cord.

When is tingling worrisome? ›

Tingling in hands and feet can be a symptom of multiple conditions, but the immediate sensation stems from irritation, damage, or compression of a nerve. When should I worry about tingling in my hands? If the tingling in your hands and feet doesn't go away after a while, you should see your doctor.

When should I see a neurologist for tingling? ›

Numbness or tingling

However, if this numbness continues, comes on suddenly, or only happens on one side of the body, it may be time to see a neurologist. Numbness or tingling symptoms like those described can also be signs of a stroke, in which case you need to get help very quickly.

Will nerve tingling go away? ›

In many cases, paresthesia goes away on its own. But if any area of your body regularly goes numb or gets that "pins and needles" feeling, talk to your doctor. They'll ask about your medical history and do a physical exam. They also may recommend certain tests to figure out what's causing your paresthesia.

Can dehydration cause tingling in legs? ›

Dehydration and Electrolyte Imbalance

An imbalance can disrupt nerve signals, causing tingling sensations.

Why do my legs tingle when I lay down? ›

Overview. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a condition in which one has feelings of "pulling, searing, drawing, tingling, bubbling, or crawling" beneath the skin, usually in the calf area. This causes an irresistible urge to move the legs. The sensations can also affect the thighs, feet, and sometimes, even the arms.

When should I worry about pins and needles in my leg? ›

See your GP if you constantly have pins and needles or if it keeps coming back. It may be a sign of a more serious underlying health condition. Treatment for chronic pins and needles depends on the cause. For example, if it's caused by diabetes, treatment will focus on controlling your blood glucose levels.

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