Numbness in the right leg

A person staying in one position for a long time sometimes causes such an unpleasant sensation as numbness of a limb. Just remember what happens when you sit for a long time in a “leg over leg” position without changing legs or with one leg tucked under you. The leg simply goes numb, becomes like cotton wool with a noticeable or slight tingling. It is even very difficult to stand on it. This is due to a completely understandable reason - pinched nerves and impaired blood circulation. It is enough to actively knead the muscle, and everything returns to normal. But what if the loss of sensitivity in the limbs, for example, numbness of the right leg occurs for no apparent reason?

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Causes numbness in the right leg

We have already discussed one of the reasons. This is an uncomfortable position of the right leg while sitting. Leg numbness can also occur in a standing position if the right leg is used as a support leg for a long time. Sometimes men like to lean their hand on their right leg bent at an angle of 90 ^degrees in the knee area when sitting down. This can also cause a loss of sensitivity in this leg for some time. Many have already become accustomed to these reasons for numbness in the limbs.

But the sensitivity of the leg can also be affected by reasons of a different nature, related to the development of certain diseases, the presence or manifestations of which you did not even suspect. Numbness of the right leg can be one of the symptoms of these diseases, so in any case, a complete or partial examination of the body is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis.

Diseases that are accompanied by loss of sensitivity in the right leg include:

• osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, accompanied by a neurological syndrome with numbness of the limb and pain in the lower back,
• various manifestations of intervertebral hernia, starting from borderline conditions,
• sciatic nerve neuralgia caused by mechanical damage or inflammation in this area,
• diabetes mellitus (one of the manifestations of the disease is polyneuropathy, which manifests itself in changes in the sensitivity of the lower extremities, the appearance of pain and weakness in the legs),
• alcoholism (development of polyneuropathy),
• tunnel syndrome, associated mainly with various diseases of the spine,
• violation of the integrity and elasticity of blood vessels, such as varicose veins, thrombosis, etc.
• severe stages of rheumatoid arthritis,
• heel spur, characterized by numbness of the foot of the right or left leg,
• Raynaud's disease, which manifests itself as a sharp contraction of the walls of small arteries, resulting in impaired blood circulation and numbness of the limb,
• acute stage of stroke at the age of 45 years,
• various neoplasms in the central nervous system and on the periphery,
• Morton's neuroma, which affects the nerve in the foot,
• violation of cerebral circulation and blood circulation.

Numbness of the extremities can be one of the manifestations of multiple sclerosis, which affects young people, as well as a consequence of various injuries to the spine and extremities or frostbite.

Impaired sensitivity of the lower extremities can also be observed in pregnant women, especially at later stages, due to the pressure of the fetus on the nerve endings and the increased load on the spine. Numbness can even be caused by a normal long-term lack of necessary vitamins and minerals in the body, as well as a state of intense fear.

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Pathogenesis

Damage or strong mechanical impact on the vessels or nerves located in a certain area of the body can cause numbness of the right leg. In this case, patients complain of decreased sensitivity of the limb, a feeling of heaviness in it, limited functioning (it is difficult to bend or lift the leg, it is almost impossible to stand on it, it takes a certain position with difficulty). At first, these symptoms occur rarely, but as the disease that caused the numbness of the limb develops, these symptoms appear more and more often and their effect becomes longer lasting.

In severe and acute forms of some diseases, loss of sensitivity in the right lower limb may occur throughout the entire period of wakefulness, intensifying with active movement or prolonged static state. In some cases, numbness of the leg may be accompanied by acute pain, both in the limb itself and in the lumbar region or hip joints. Usually, the pain lasts for several minutes and then subsides.

If numbness in the right leg is caused by temporary compression of nerve endings when sitting or standing and does not have deeper causes associated with the presence of certain diseases, it does not require special treatment and goes away on its own within 2-5 minutes when the limb takes a comfortable position and does not experience pressure.

If the loss of sensitivity is associated with the presence of concomitant diseases, then the treatment of this condition may take a long period, since it comes down to eradicating the cause of numbness in the limb, i.e. treating the disease that caused damage to the nerves or blood vessels.

The development and spread of the condition with loss of sensitivity of the extremities is associated with an increase in the number of patients with diseases that cause numbness in the arms and legs, as well as with the “rejuvenation” of some diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, etc., occurring at a younger, and even young age.

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Symptoms numbness in the right leg

The process of loss of sensitivity of the leg itself begins with unusual sensations, as if the limb is being squeezed or compressed. There is an imaginary feeling that the skin is being stretched very tightly, and the leg is increasing in size, swelling.

At first these sensations seem insignificant, then they intensify. Expressed neurological reactions appear: a slight tingling, which over time becomes more noticeable, "goosebumps" begin to run across the skin, a slight itching (tickling) occurs, especially in the foot area.

A person cannot, as usual, easily control a limb, which suddenly "gets heavy" and becomes "cottony". Joint mobility is not impaired, but the ability to control it is lost for a time. It is difficult to bend and move the leg.

The skin reacts poorly to touch. At first it feels nothing, and then unpleasant sensations of vibration appear inside the muscles. Numbness of the right leg, however, as well as the left, can be accompanied by cramps and pain, especially at night.

If numbness is caused by severe fear, shock or stress, it may be accompanied by frequent difficulty breathing, as well as cramps in the calf muscles.

What does numbness in various areas of the right leg indicate?

It is very rare for the entire leg to go numb. Usually, numbness affects some part of the leg: the foot, thigh, shin, toes. It is the localization of the numbness symptoms that can indicate the possible cause of this unpleasant condition.

Numbness of the toes of the right foot (big, 2 and 3 toes) may indicate the development of a lumbar hernia. The 5th nerve root of the spine, located in the lumbar region, is responsible for providing the fingers with nerves (innervation) and their functioning, which means that it is in this area that an intervertebral hernia may occur. The sensations can spread to the first 3 toes and the outer part of the shin.

Numbness of the little toe of the right foot may also indicate the appearance of an intervertebral hernia, but in a different place. The 1st sacral nerve root is responsible for the innervation of the little toe and some part of the 4th toe, which means the hernia is located within the 1st sacral and 5th lumbar disc of the spine. In this case, numbness is felt in the entire little toe and can radiate to the heel.

If numbness of the right leg in the toe area is accompanied by swelling, redness, and a significant decrease in mobility, this may indicate the presence of diseases such as sciatica, osteochondrosis of the spine, spondylitis, spondylosis, heel spurs, etc. This may be a manifestation of Raynaud's disease, arthritis, or indicate thermal tissue damage (burn, frostbite).

Numbness of the right foot most often indicates a heel spur. But osteochondrosis of the spine, intervertebral hernia, rheumatoid arthritis, polyarthritis, spondylosis (deformation of the vertebrae), inflammation of the sciatic nerve, neuropathy of the tibial nerves can also manifest themselves in this way. In this case, the symptoms become more pronounced with active movements. Tingling and numbness of the leg can also occur at night. Walking on the heels becomes impossible due to pain.

Numbness of the right shin is most often observed on the outside of the shin itself. Patients complain of difficulties with bending forward, putting on shoes, and lifting a straight leg. Impaired sensitivity in this area most likely indicates various lesions of the spinal discs. Numbness in the calf area of the right leg, especially if accompanied by pain, cramps, and muscle weakness, may be a manifestation of various tunnel syndromes that appear due to compression of the peripheral nerves in the canals.

Numbness of the right thigh can be caused by both vascular diseases and lesions of the vertebral discs. The thigh is the area from the knee to the hip joint, bordered by the inguinal line. There are many blood vessels, lymph nodes and nerve fibers here, which means that numbness of the thigh can be caused by disorders and inflammatory processes in them.

Loss of sensitivity on the outside of the thigh in the upper part may indicate tunnel syndromes, a striking example of which is Bernhardt-Roth disease, intervertebral hernia in the area of 1-4 discs, the presence of tumors in the area of nerve endings.

If the thigh is numb inside at the bottom, closer to the knee, this may indicate a problem with the femoral nerve in insufficiently wide canals and cause acute throbbing pain in a sitting position.

Complications and consequences

It is no secret that any disease is most easily treated and corrected at the initial stage, and advanced forms, if they do not develop into more serious conditions, then they become chronic. If we do not take into account the temporary loss of sensitivity of the lower extremities due to an uncomfortable position, lack of vitamins or pregnancy, this condition is evidence of serious disorders in the body, and therefore it must be treated with full responsibility.

If you do not pay due attention to the frequently recurring numbness of the right leg, you can lose time and not diagnose a dangerous disease in time. And the consequences will depend on the course and degree of neglect of the disease, the symptom of which was the loss of sensitivity in the leg.

Over time, the sensations themselves may change. If you do not consult a doctor in time, you can successfully wait for the situation to become more complicated. At first, numbness in the legs manifests itself only as a feeling of heaviness, "cotton wool" and tingling, later it can cause difficulty in moving, decreased motor activity of the limbs, serious circulatory disorders, up to partial gangrene.

In addition, unpleasant sensations are often accompanied by painful ones, which significantly reduces the quality of life. For example, the patient cannot normally stand on his heel or rise on his toes, the painful sensations move to the lower back and difficulties arise with bending forward, the pain can interfere with normal walking or sitting, does not allow lifting a straight leg, night sleep is disturbed, etc. Such complications can in turn lead to anxiety, nervousness and depression, especially at a young active age.

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Diagnostics numbness in the right leg

In order to avoid unpleasant and even dangerous consequences, it is necessary to start treating the existing cause of the loss of sensitivity of the right leg in time. But for effective and correct treatment, an accurate diagnosis is necessary. It is necessary to understand that numbness of the right leg is not a diagnosis, but only a symptom of a possibly more serious pathology. This is precisely what needs to be identified.

It is not possible to make an accurate diagnosis based on the patient's complaints alone. Some aspects may indicate the most likely causes of leg numbness, and only a specialized (or general) examination of the body can clarify the presence or absence of a particular pathology.

An important stage in making a diagnosis is instrumental diagnostics. The most popular types of examinations prescribed by a doctor (therapist, rheumatologist, vascular surgeon, orthopedist, etc.) are MRI (tomography), ultrasound (ultrasound examination of the spine) and X-ray of the spine.

Sometimes, if vascular pathology is suspected, specific methods are added to these studies: EEG (echoencephalography), ultrasound Dopplerography of the head and neck, ultrasound of the heart, cardiogram, foot X-ray, etc.

If diabetes mellitus and other pathologies of internal organs causing numbness of the arms and legs are suspected, laboratory blood and urine tests, spirography, liver tests, etc. are prescribed. Based on laboratory indicators and instrumental examination data, a more accurate differential diagnosis is carried out taking into account the patient's complaints and the collected anamnesis.

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Treatment numbness in the right leg

Treatment of any pathology begins only after the correct diagnosis has been established. Numbness of the right leg is only one of the symptoms of many diseases, which must be treated in combination with the disease itself that caused this condition.

The medications prescribed by a specialist doctor will depend on the disease that caused numbness and pain in the legs. Since most often numbness of the extremities is associated with disorders in the spine and rheumatic diseases, then to relieve this symptom, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed in the form of injections or tablets, which relieve inflammation in the affected area, have an antipyretic and analgesic effect.

"Diclofenac" is the most popular among the non-steroidal group used for various spinal disorders. The recommended daily dose is 50-150 mg (2 to 6 tablets per day). The drug should be taken 2-3 times. The tablets should be taken whole with a small amount of liquid during or immediately after meals.

There are certain contraindications to taking Diclofenac:

• erosions, ulcers and bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract,
• hemophilia, blood disorders,
• hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, including NSAIDs (eg, aspirin asthma),
• pregnancy and lactation period,
• age up to 6 years.

Taking the drug may cause the following side effects: various gastrointestinal disorders, including bleeding, headaches and dizziness, tinnitus, rash and itching of the skin, urinary retention. Very rare (less than 1%): pancreatic and liver disorders, sleep and rest disorders, convulsions, dermatitis, kidney and genitourinary problems, including acute renal failure, as well as certain disorders in the hematopoietic system, respiratory, immune and cardiovascular systems.

Diclofenac should be taken with caution by patients with renal and hepatic insufficiency. Treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a physician with the necessary control laboratory tests. The drug has a negative effect on attention and reaction speed.

Analogues of Diclofenac with the same active ingredient are Voltaren, Naklofen SR, Diclofenac retard.

"Meloxicam" is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Depending on the type of disease and its severity, 1 to 2 tablets are taken once a day. Food intake does not affect the effectiveness of the drug.

Contraindications for use are:

• pregnancy and lactation,
• age under 15 years,
• erosions and ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract,
• various bleedings,
• heart failure in the decompensation stage,
• severe progressive liver and kidney diseases,
• history of allergic reaction to aspirin.

Patients with ischemia, diabetes and other diseases of the cardiovascular and immune systems, elderly people, as well as patients with addiction to alcohol and smoking should take the drug with caution. Meloxicam also has a negative effect on concentration, causing drowsiness.

Side effects: disruption of normal gastrointestinal function, anemia, skin rashes, dizziness and headaches, edema. Sometimes there are bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, changes in blood composition, tinnitus, increased blood pressure and heart rate, etc. Other health and well-being disorders are extremely rare.

For external use, doctors may prescribe Ibuprofen in the form of a gel. The dosage of this drug depends on the size of the affected area. Usually, a strip of gel from 4 to 10 cm is applied to the skin and rubbed in with light, smooth movements. The course of treatment is 14-21 days.

The drug is prohibited for use in the following cases:

• hypersensitivity to NSAIDs, in particular to aspirin,
• open skin lesions: various wounds, cuts, abrasions, eczema, etc.,
• the last months of pregnancy,
• age under 6 years.

If the drug is not tolerated, spasms in the bronchi may occur, other side effects (in the form of allergic reactions) are very rare. Patients with severe liver or kidney disease should exercise caution when using Ibuprofen.

Very often, muscle relaxants that inhibit nerve impulses and have an analgesic effect are prescribed to treat diseases that cause numbness in the right or left leg. The most popular of these is the drug "Mydocalm". The initial dose of the drug is 1 tablet 2-3 times a day, gradually increasing to 3 tablets 2-3 times a day. The dosage for children is calculated based on the patient's weight - from 2 to 5 mg per 1 kg of weight.

Contraindications for use are:

• age under 3 years,
• myasthenia gravis (chronic fatigue),
• hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.

Side effects: headaches, muscle weakness, fatigue, decreased blood pressure, nausea, sometimes accompanied by vomiting, discomfort in the stomach and intestines, various allergic reactions are possible.

If necessary, the attending physician may prescribe drugs from the group of corticosteroids (Prednisolone, Methylprednisolone), which have a strong anti-inflammatory effect, to patients with numbness in the right leg or other limbs.

In parallel with specific treatment, the body is saturated with vitamins, for which vitamin-mineral complexes with a predominance of B vitamins are prescribed. Particular attention is paid to the case when numbness of the right leg is caused by a long-term lack of vitamins in the patient's body.

Physiotherapy plays a non-fundamental, but no less important role in treating the causes of numbness in the extremities. In combination with drug therapy, physiotherapy can significantly improve the patient's condition and well-being.

Physiotherapy for numbness in the right leg includes: light therapy using a therapeutic laser, ultrasound, electro- and phonophoresis, pain relief using the Amplipulse device, etc.

In addition, patients are recommended therapeutic exercise, moderate physical activity against the background of a healthy lifestyle with rational nutrition. If there are no contraindications, then swimming, running and skiing give a good effect.

Folk remedies for numbness in the right leg

Traditional medicine, as always, does not stand aside from the problem of numbness of the extremities. Its recipes allow, if not to cure, then significantly alleviate the condition of a patient with numbness of the right leg. In the bins of traditional healers there are means for both internal and external use.

Garlic tincture. Grind several heads of garlic and fill a third of a half-liter jar with it. Fill the container to the top with 36-40% alcohol (you can take high-quality vodka, moonshine) and leave to infuse for 2 weeks, shaking occasionally. The remedy should be taken orally, 5 drops with a small amount of water. It is recommended to do this 3 times a day.

Rubbing to improve blood circulation. Take 3-4 red hot peppers and a couple of pickles, cut into small pieces (or mince) and pour the mixture with ½ liter of vodka. Infuse the mixture for a week in a dark place.

Black pepper tincture for massage. Add 100 g of ground pepper to 1 liter of vegetable oil and put on very low heat. Heat the mixture for half an hour.

Lilac tincture for compresses. Lilac flowers (1 glass) pour ½ liter of vodka or moonshine. Infuse for a week.

Honey wrap. Apply a thin layer of honey to the numb areas and wrap with cotton cloth. Do this at night. Usually 3-4 wraps are enough.

Herbal treatments have a place of honor in folk medicine. Helping patients with numbness in the right leg is no exception.

• Recipe 1. Take wild rosemary and apple cider vinegar in a ratio of 1 to 3. Infuse the mixture for a week. Rub the numb limbs with the tincture using light movements at least 3 times a day.
• Recipe 2. Pour 100 g of betony grass with ½ l of 40% alcohol and leave for 10 days in a place protected from the sun, occasionally shaking the mixture slightly. The strained tincture can be used both for rubbing and for internal use. The remedy is taken internally before meals, 1 teaspoon (3 times a day).
• Recipe 3. Take a pinch of sweet clover and brew it in a glass of boiling water. Leave it to brew. Take it as tea 3 times a day, 1 glass at a time. The treatment lasts 2 days.
• Recipe 4. Herbal baths. Pour 400 g of chamomile and mint mixture with 6 liters of hot water and leave for at least 3 hours. Add 1 liter of the decoction to the bath. The course of treatment is 18 to 20 baths.

Instead of chamomile and mint, you can use sage or a mixture of herbs: nettle, oregano, burdock. You can also practice contrast baths with hot and cold water, which also has a positive effect on the patient's condition.

Homeopathy for Right Leg Numbness

Despite all the many recipes of traditional medicine, they cannot cure the disease by themselves. The desired effect is achieved only in the case of complex use of traditional methods, physiotherapy and drug treatment. If you are not a supporter of synthetic medicinal forms, but prefer natural remedies, then homeopathic preparations are just what the doctor prescribed for you.

Aconitum napellus (blue aconite) is a homeopathic remedy of wide application. It affects the central nervous system and has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, relieving fever and pain.

Dosage and method of administration. Like most homeopathic remedies, Aconite is available in the form of granules, which are taken 8 at a time, placed under the tongue. In the first three days, the remedy is taken five times a day, in the next 10-14 days, the granules are taken 3 times a day, and only then switch to a twice-daily regimen. The drug should be taken half an hour before meals or an hour after meals.

The duration of treatment with Aconite granules is prescribed by the doctor. He can also suggest trying the tincture of the same name. For diseases of the spine and joints, such a tincture is applied externally 2 times a day for a month.

Precautions. Since the blue wrestler is a very poisonous plant, treatment with a drug based on it should be carried out strictly according to the scheme prescribed by the doctor. It is necessary to pay attention to any unusual symptoms. The side effects of the drug are usually associated with either intolerance to the active substance or an overdose of the drug. Symptoms of an overdose: nausea accompanied by vomiting, numbness of the face, a feeling of cold or heat in the extremities, thirst, dry mucous membranes of the mouth, muscle cramps, a drop in blood pressure, visual impairment. Uncontrolled use of the drug can lead to death.

If the right leg is numb, a homeopathic doctor may prescribe Secale cornutum (ergot) - a homeopathic remedy based on the mycelium of the fungus. It is taken in low dilutions, the dosage will be indicated by the doctor. The drug is also quite poisonous.

Calcarea phosphorica (calcium phosphate) is prescribed for rheumatic diseases that cause numbness and coldness in the extremities. Homeopaths prescribe the necessary dosage, but usually it is a 3-, 6- or 12-fold dilution.

Sometimes, when there is a feeling of coldness in the extremities associated with joint diseases, doctors recommend the homeopathic preparation Calcium carbonicum (calcium carbonate) based on oyster shells. The homeopathic remedy is available in the form of granules, drops or powder, the effective and safe doses of which, as well as the duration of the course of treatment, will be indicated by the doctor when prescribing this drug. An overdose of the drug can cause metabolic disorders.

In case of peripheral circulation disorders and associated numbness of the right leg, homeopathy often prescribes the drug Aesculus compositum in the form of an alcohol solution. A single dose for adult patients is 10 drops, for children - from 3 to 10 drops depending on age. The drug should be taken three times a day half an hour before meals, diluted in a small amount of water (5 ml).

Contraindications to taking homeopathic remedies may include childhood, pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.

It is preferable to purchase any homeopathic remedies in specialized pharmacies, where it is possible to get a consultation with a homeopathic doctor, who will prescribe a course of treatment. This is very important, considering that some homeopathic drugs contain toxic substances that, in recommended doses, have a good therapeutic effect, but in case of overdose, pose a danger to health and life in general.

In addition, when seeking help from homeopathy, you must be prepared for the fact that treatment with such means will be quite long, and you should not expect quick results. Just as you should not stop halfway.

Surgical treatment for numbness of the right leg is carried out only in connection with the therapy of concomitant diseases that caused this condition. This can be either phlebectomy for varicose veins or surgical removal of a tumor or intervertebral hernia.

Prevention

Preventive measures aimed at preventing such an uncomfortable condition as numbness of the right leg are primarily aimed at preventing the development of diseases that cause this condition of the body. Such measures include:

• An active, mobile lifestyle with the rejection of bad habits.
• Due attention to proper balanced nutrition, rich in vitamins and microelements.
• No unnecessary strain on the spine at home and when performing professional duties.
• Timely and complete treatment of colds and viral diseases.
• Exercises and physical training, both motor and static.
• Prevention of spinal and joint injuries.
• Wearing comfortable shoes that do not create long-term stress on the spine.
• Avoiding excessive cooling of the extremities or their getting wet.
• Sufficient time spent in fresh air and ventilation of premises.
• Annual preventive examinations by medical specialists.

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Forecast

In principle, numbness of the right leg does not cause any particular danger and is quite easily cured, unless, of course, it is associated with the presence of tumors. Even if a complete cure does not occur, therapy can still stabilize the situation and stop the numbness of the limbs. The prognosis for the treatment of this condition is generally favorable. Certain complications, up to and including death, can be caused by the treatment of concomitant diseases caused by malignant neoplasms.

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