Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

Are you finding that one leg tends to fall asleep when you’re in a seated position? Does one leg start to feel numb if you’ve been standing for an extended period? Unilateral leg numbness is more common than you may imagine, and while it could be caused by a number of different issues, oftentimes the problem is actually connected to your spine. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at some spinal conditions that can result in numbness or discomfort in one of your legs.

Spine Problems Causing Leg Numbness

If you’re dealing with numbness that is really only presenting in one leg, you’ll want to connect with your primary care doctor or a spine specialist. While back issues can be the underlying cause, numbness can be the result of a more serious issue, or something that is better managed by a different specialist. For example, some conditions that can lead to unilateral leg numbness that are not related to your spine include:

• Medication side effects
• Infection
• Tumor
• Vascular conditions
• Aftermath of a stroke

However, in many instances, leg numbness is tied to a spine-related issue. Countless nerves traverse down our spinal canal and branch out through our lower back and down our extremities. If any of these nerves become damaged, compressed or irritated along the way, it can lead to numbness, tingling sensations, muscle weakness and pain. Some of the most common spinal issues that can lead to these symptoms include:

• Herniated disc – If a spinal disc slips out of place, it will likely irritate or compress spinal nerves that pass in close proximity to the disc, leading to a range of uncomfortable symptoms.
• Sciatica – Your sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body, branching along your spine and down each leg. It oftentimes passes through narrow areas, and if poor posture, an injury or an alignment issue leads to compression of the sciatic nerve, you may find that one leg begins to go numb when you’re in certain positions.
• Spinal stenosis –  Spinal stenosis is caused by the narrowing of the spinal foramen, which is the opening through which nerves pass on their way down the spine. Depending on where this foraminal narrowing occurs, symptoms can develop in the lower back, buttocks or legs.

In the majority of cases where your leg numbness is caused by a spinal issue, the problem is the result of nerve compression. Figuring out why that compression is occurring will be key, because nerve compression from a herniated disc will be treated much differently than nerve damage caused by a tumor or a posture problem. In order to hone in on the underlying cause and get set up with the right course of treatment, sync up with a spine specialist who can pinpoint your issue and walk you through an individualized recovery program. We know Dr. Sinicropi can be that provider for you. If you’re dealing with numbness in your leg or other symptoms that suggest a back issue may be brewing beneath the surface, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.

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