Why is the big toe numb and what to do
The content of the article:
- Causes of paresthesia
- Treatment
- Video
The big toe becomes numb due to impaired blood circulation (compression of the vessels of the lower extremities) and impaired conduction of nerve impulses. Paresthesia is a symptom of a number of diseases, which complicates differential diagnosis.
Big toe numbness can be a sign of a variety of conditions, such as diabetes
The prognosis is relatively favorable with timely treatment. This means that a large number of diseases that have this symptom require long-term or lifelong treatment, but there is usually no immediate threat to life.
Causes of paresthesia
In rare cases, numbness and loss of sensation in the limb is not justified (idiopathic form). More often the big toe grows numb due to the following reasons:
| Pathology | Explanation |
| Diseases of the musculoskeletal system, such as osteochondrosis and intervertebral hernias | In the case of a hernia, the sensory impairment will be symmetrical. With osteochondrosis, the big toe on the right foot often grows numb. |
| Acute or chronic diseases of the nervous system (eg, sciatica) | In this case, compression of the nerve roots along the spine occurs. |
| Rheumatological diseases (gout) | It occurs due to a violation of the excretion of uric acid salts and their accumulation in the small joints of the hands and feet. |
| Autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis) | Inflammation occurs more often in large joints (knee, elbow, shoulder), but may be accompanied by damage to smaller joints, such as the joints of the phalanges of the fingers. |
| Vascular diseases (varicose veins, atherosclerosis) | In these cases, impaired sensitivity - tingling, numbness - is a serious symptom that indicates the progression of the underlying disease. |
| Malignant or benign formations | Lead to compression of the neurovascular bundle. In some cases, part of the nerves that innervate the limb are completely turned off from work. |
| Type I diabetes mellitus (insulin dependent) | In the absence or incorrect treatment tactics, it leads to loss of sensitivity. The disease in 30% of cases begins with the fact that the big toe on the left foot grows numb (asymmetrical spread). |
| Obesity (grade 2-3) |
It is often accompanied by such an unpleasant symptom as a violation of the innervation of the limbs. |
There are also indirect (concomitant) causes, or risk factors:
- uncomfortable shoes;
- prolonged incorrect posture (compression syndrome in a state of alcoholic intoxication);
- hypothermia;
- long-term smoking and human consumption of alcohol;
- lack of vitamins and minerals.
The doctor will prescribe a course of treatment depending on the specific type of disease.
Treatment
General treatment regimen (supplemented depending on the specific pathology):
- antispasmodics - cause vasodilation, thereby improving blood circulation;
- antiplatelet agents - improving circulation and reducing the feeling of numbness;
- chondroprotectors - as prevention of one of the main causes of limb numbness - osteochondrosis;
- statins - as prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - provide analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect.
In addition, depending on why paresthesia has occurred, the doctor may prescribe the following measures:
- Take a course of physiotherapy (phonophoresis, magnetotherapy, UHF, laser therapy). Duration of the order for 14 days.
- Do the exercises of medical gymnastics under the supervision of a specialist (exercise therapy). Repeated courses can be performed independently.
- Take a massage course. Provides increased blood flow, lymph flow and restores metabolic processes in the very tips of the toes.
- Apply traditional methods of therapy (baths, rubbing). Unacceptable in the presence of allergic reactions.
As a supplement, it is permissible to use multivitamin complexes containing collagen, elastin, calcium and phosphorus.
Video
We offer for viewing a video on the topic of the article.
Anna Kozlova Medical journalist About the author
Education: Rostov State Medical University, specialty "General Medicine".
Found a mistake in the text? Select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
