Leg Numbness

[SidaOne]

A couple of weeks ago, I was taking my walk for lunch.  Coming down some stairs I felt like a muscle pull on my left ankle.  Outside part of the left ankle.  My ankle starting swelling and was hurting buy Aleve and some heat helped it.  The pain has come back but not as strong.  I have tried an ankle wrap/brace but that makes it worse.  I didn't "twist" the ankle, just stepped wrong and felt some kind of muscle pull.  Now, from the left side of my lower back down the outside of my left leg to the ankle and toe, when I stand for awhile on that side I get a numbness like just those parts are falling asleep.  Once I sit down it's okay,  walking is okay, just when I stand on that leg.  Any idea?


This discussion is related to left leg numbness.

[sakura4000]

This could be caused by some pressure on the sciatica nerve.  which  can cause pain down the leg and numbness.  Get this  checked they may want to do testing/mri to confirm but definately get this checked out.  Hope this helps.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Symptomatically this looks like sciatica. There is compression of of the spinal nerves in the lumbo-sacral spine region. This can happen due to overuse of the lower back as in work requiring too much of bending, lifting weight, fall on the back, overweight, canal stenosis, bone disease, spondylosis, poor posture etc. Poor posture while sleeping, sitting on computers or jobs for a long time, uneven bed, exposure of back to cold air while sleeping can cause a discomfort for a few days.  Take a multivitamin, plenty of fluids, and an OTC analgesic. Apply a local analgesic and apply a heating pad and see if it helps. If this does not help, consult a neurologist. A MRI of the spine will be required. The treatment is to remove the compression. You have to discuss the best treatment option with a neurologist, which can range from medication to physiotherapy to traction, lumbar belts, lumbar corsets or even surgery. Hope this helps. Take care!