Numbness in the big toe

Numbness of the big toe brings unpleasant sensations. What causes it and how dangerous is it for the human body?

We will try to find answers to these and a number of other questions in this article.

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Epidemiology

As statistics show, numbness of the big toe in 90% of cases is associated with pathological changes occurring in the spine.

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Causes numbness in the big toe

Rheumatologists divide the causes of numbness in the big toe into two categories: everyday and pathological.

Household items include:

1. Uncomfortable position.
2. Uncomfortable, narrow, hard shoes.
3. High heels or uncomfortable lasts.
4. Long walks or prolonged standing.
5. My feet were wet or frozen.
6. Chronic alcoholism.

Conditions that can cause numbness in the big toe include:

1. Vertebral hernia.
2. Spinal problems localized in the lumbar region (affecting the 4th and/or 5th vertebrae).
3. Avitaminosis.
4. Pinched nerve roots in the lumbar spine (radiculoneuritis).
5. Osteochondrosis.
6. Gout.
7. Varicose veins of the groin area and/or lower extremities.
8. Polyneuropathy is a complex neurological pathology affecting elements of the peripheral nervous system.
9. Protrusion of the intervertebral disc.
10. Tuberculosis of the spine.
11. Disruption of metabolic processes.
12. Diabetes mellitus.
13. Endarteritis.
14. Infection.
15. Arthritis and arthrosis.
16. Stroke.
17. Multiple sclerosis.
18. Oncology affecting the lumbar region of the spine.
19. Metastases.
20. Tissue necrosis.

Pathogenesis

Numbness of the big toe is caused by atrophy or pinching of nerve endings, leading to functional disorders in the work of peripheral nerves. The second cause of paresthesia can be circulatory disorders.

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Symptoms numbness in the big toe

Paresthesia is not a disease, it is a symptom of many diseases. Numbness can manifest itself:

1. A burning sensation.
2. Itching.
3. Tingling when moving.

First signs

Numbness of the big toe begins with a loss of sensitivity in this part of the human body. Gradually, a feeling of tingling, itching and "crawling ants" may join in.

If the numbness affects the big toe of the left foot, the cause may be banal: "sat the foot too long", problems with footwear. Such symptoms can be provoked by varicose veins, gout, a tumor or metastases localized on the left foot.

The situation is similar with the causes of numbness in the big toe on the right foot.

If paresthesia is observed on both legs, this may indicate a general disease (metabolic disorder, infection) or pathology of the lumbar spine (pinched nerve, vertebral hernia, and a number of others). But such a clinical picture is rarely observed.

Diagnostics numbness in the big toe

When this symptom occurs, diagnosis of numbness of the big toe begins with a physical examination of the patient, analysis of his complaints, assessment of accompanying symptoms, and clarification of the patient's medical history.

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Tests

The doctor prescribes a number of laboratory tests:

1. Complete blood count.
2. Blood sugar test.
3. General urine analysis.

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Instrumental diagnostics

To make a diagnosis, the attending physician uses the results of instrumental diagnostics:

1. MRI of the spine.
2. Radiography.
3. Ultrasound of the vessels of the lower extremities.

Differential diagnosis

When establishing a diagnosis, the doctor resorts to differential diagnostics. Based on the results of laboratory and instrumental studies, the doctor receives a complete clinical picture of the disease. Based on this, the diagnosis is made:

1. Everyday etiology of the problem.
2. Endocrine disorders.
3. Pathologies of a neuralgic nature.
4. Disruption of the vascular system.
5. Spinal cord injury.

Treatment numbness in the big toe

Treatment methods depend on the cause of the numbness of the big toe. If a person has simply "sat" on a leg, it will be enough to get up and walk around, change position. Blood will flow to the lower limb and its sensitivity will be restored. If possible, you should stretch the foot and toe, doing a little massage.

If the cause of numbness in the big toe is pathological changes in the patient’s body, then the treatment protocol is prescribed depending on the diagnosis.

In case of problems with neuromuscular conduction, a neurologist prescribes drugs that improve the conductivity of nerve endings (anticholinesterase agents).

Diuretics are prescribed as detoxification therapy. Muscle relaxants that relieve muscle tension, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, and a vitamin and mineral complex (B vitamins) are prescribed.

Drugs that reduce the number of cholesterol plaques are prescribed - statins.

Medicines

Anticholinesterase drugs that improve the conductivity of nerve endings: deoxypeganine, deoxypeganine hydrochloride, oxazyl, galantamine hydrobromide, mestinon, nivalin, neuromedin, kalimin forte.

Deoxypeganine hydrochloride is taken orally. The recommended dosage schedule is:

• for adult patients – 50–100 mg three times a day;
• for adolescents over 14 years old – 25–50 mg, but not more than 200 mg daily;
• children aged 12 to 14 years – from 10 to 25 mg, but not more than 100 mg daily.

The duration of therapy is two to four weeks.

Contraindications to the use of deoxypeganine hydrochloride are increased sensitivity of the body, hyperkinesis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, epileptic seizures, bronchial asthma, angina pectoris, arterial hypertension.

Side effects of the drug include: increased activity of the salivary glands, decreased heart rate, dizziness, and leg pain.

Diuretics that help activate the body's urinary properties: euphyllin, hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide, canephron, triamterene, phytolysin.

Furosemide should be taken orally before meals at 40 mg once a day (in the morning). If necessary, the dosage can be increased to 80 - 160 mg per day, divided into two or three doses. But after achieving a therapeutic effect, the dose of the administered drug is reduced to the starting dosage.

Furosemide is not prescribed to patients with acute glomerulonephritis, liver and hepatic insufficiency, hypersensitivity to the drug, including sulfonamides, mechanical obstruction of the urinary tract, water-salt metabolism disorders, or in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Side effects of the drug are expressed by the following symptoms: hyperemia, hypotension, nausea and vomiting, dehydration and hypovolemia, itching, disturbances of heart rhythm, vision and hearing.

Statins that help get rid of excess cholesterol plaques: Acorta, Rosucard, Crestor, Mertenil, Rosuvastatin, Tevastor.

The starting dose of rosucard is 10 mg taken once a day for a month. The dosage is then doubled. If necessary, the amount of the drug taken can be increased to 40 mg daily.

Contraindications to the use of rosucard include hypersensitivity to lactose and other components of the drug, renal and/or hepatic insufficiency, lactose deficiency, myopathy, glucose-galactose malabsorption, pregnancy and lactation, children and adolescents under 18 years of age.

Side effects of the drug include: constipation, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea, dizziness and headaches, symptoms of an allergic reaction of the body, cough, memory impairment.

Muscle relaxants: myocaine, mephedol, sibazon, mydocalm.

Sibazon is prescribed orally. The recommended dose for adult patients is from 5 to 15 mg, depending on the clinical picture of the disease, the patient's condition, and sensitivity to the drug. The number of daily doses is three. The maximum permissible dosage is 60 mg.

Sibazon is contraindicated for use in cases of hypersensitivity to diazepam or other benzodiazepines, severe myasthenia, chronic hypercapnia, as well as alcohol or drug addiction.

Painkillers: ketanov, nimesil, ketorol, citramon, ketalgin, actasulide.

Anti-inflammatory: sulindac, ibuprofen, fenoprofen, ketoprofen, nimesulide.

Ibuprofen for adults and children over 12 years old is prescribed one to two tablets three to four times a day. For children from one to 12 years old, the dosage is calculated: 20 mg per kilogram of the child's weight, divided into three to four doses.

It is recommended to take the medicine after meals. The maximum daily dose is 2.4 g.

Contraindications to the use of ibuprofen include ulcerative lesions of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, nonspecific ulcerative colitis, severe liver and kidney dysfunction, leukopenia, bronchial asthma, heart failure, and hypersensitivity to the drug.

Side effects of the drug include: constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, vomiting and nausea, flatulence, erosive and ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, dizziness, headaches, swelling, allergy symptoms, visual impairment, sleep disturbance.

Vitamins

Vitamins are also prescribed. Preference is given to B vitamins: neurobion, beviplex, neurorubin, tigamma, compligam B.

Beviplex is prescribed to adults three to four pills once or twice a day. For children, this dosage is reduced to two to three pills.

Contraindications to the vitamin complex include individual intolerance to one of the components of the drug.

Physiotherapy treatment

When the big toe becomes numb, physiotherapy treatment is highly effective.

1. Paraffin applications.
2. Massages.
3. Electrophoresis.
4. Physiotherapy exercises.
5. Contrast baths.
6. Mud baths.
7. Magnet.
8. Electromyostimulation.

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine will also come to the rescue, which can offer many effective recipes for eliminating numbness of the big toe. We will give just a few of them.

Recipe No. 1 – honey wraps.

1. Before going to bed, apply a thin layer of honey to the skin of your thumb.
2. Place gauze on top and secure with adhesive tape or bandage.
3. Put a sock on top.

Recipe #2 - contrast baths. 10 such procedures are recommended.

1. Take two basins. Fill one with hot water and the other with cold water.
2. Keep your feet in each container for half an hour, alternating. The number of cold-hot water pair changes is five.
3. Wipe the numb thumb with turpentine.
4. Put a sock on top.

Recipe No. 3 – Lemon-garlic elixir.

1. Chop one lemon and cloves of garlic from one head.
2. Infuse in half a liter of water.
3. Drink a quarter of a glass before meals for several days.

Recipe No. 4 – camphor rubbing.

1. Before going to bed, rub the aching finger thoroughly, rubbing in camphor ointment.
2. Put on a sock.

Herbal treatment

Medicinal herbs are also used in the treatment of numbness in the big toe: chicory, mugwort (common wormwood), motherwort, and wild rosemary.

Massages with wild rosemary tincture.

1. Infuse the medicinal plant in apple cider vinegar.
2. Rub the resulting tincture three times throughout the day.

Homeopathy

Homeopathic doctors are ready to make their contribution to solving the problem of numbness of the big toe. They offer:

Calcarea fluorata is prescribed in the third and sixth dilutions.

Crotalus horridus is the venom of a rattlesnake. An ointment based on it is used for external treatment. The therapy involves rubbing the medicine in before bedtime for a week.

Hypericum - St. John's wort. Its doses are recommended in single and triple dilutions, orally. Externally - in a 5% solution for applications or 10% ointment.

Aesculus compositum is prescribed in the third decimal, third or sixth dilution.

Nervoheel is taken one tablet three times a day. The drug is placed under the tongue half an hour before or an hour after a meal. The duration of therapy is 14-21 days.

A possible side effect of the drug is symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Contraindications include hypersensitivity to the components of the drug and children under three years of age.

Lycopodium granules are placed under the tongue and kept until completely dissolved. The drug is recommended to be dissolved between meals. The duration of treatment is controlled by a doctor.

Contraindications to the use of homeopathic medicines include hypersensitivity to their components, a tendency to develop allergic reactions, pregnancy, lactation, and children under three years of age.

In rare cases, drugs can cause side effects in the form of increased intensity of already existing negative symptoms. In such cases, the drug is not discontinued.

Surgical treatment

Depending on the clinical picture of the disease and the established cause of numbness of the big toe, surgical treatment may be included in the treatment protocol.

If the cause of numbness in the big toe is varicose veins, the doctor may prescribe and perform a phlebectomy.

If the function of the spine is impaired, for example, due to a herniated disc or tumor, surgery is performed to eliminate the disease.

The numbness of the big toe itself cannot be cured by surgery.

Prevention

First of all, prevention of numbness of the big toe is prevention of those diseases that can cause these symptoms:

1. Rational, proper nutrition, rich in microelements and vitamins. Avoid products that negatively affect the state of the circulatory and nervous systems.
2. Healthy lifestyle: no smoking, no alcohol, no drugs.
3. An active lifestyle, but without unnecessary extreme sports.
4. Do not overload the spine.
5. Treat colds and infectious diseases promptly and completely.
6. Eliminate hypodynamia. In case of sedentary work, take breaks periodically, changing the position of the body. This will allow to avoid compression of blood and nerve structures.
7. Undergo regular preventive examinations by specialists.
8. Avoid pinching of spinal nerve roots or central nerve trunks.
9. Avoid injuries to the spine and lower limbs.
10. Wear comfortable and high-quality shoes.
11. Avoid allowing your feet to freeze or get wet for long periods of time.
12. Performing morning exercises daily.
13. Contrast baths in the evening.
14. Walks in the fresh air.
15. Weight control.
16. If you feel unwell, consult a doctor promptly.

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Forecast

In most cases, the prognosis for numbness of the big toe is favorable. An exception may be if a cancerous tumor with metastases is not recognized in time, the end result of which is disability or death. Otherwise, with timely and adequate treatment, a person can partially or completely get rid of the problem.

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