Numbness in the foot is a common cause of imbalance and can increase your risk of falling.

nerve conduction studies, which measure how well nerves conduct electric currentsĪdditional tests depend upon the suspected diagnosis.magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study to view abnormalities in the spine, spinal cord, or both.electromyography, which measures how well muscles respond to electrical stimulation.Some studies your doctor may order include: Your doctor will most likely examine your feet and determine if the sensation loss impacts one or both feet. When did you first notice the numbness in your foot?Īfter you share your medical history with your doctor, a physical examination typically follows.What other symptoms do you experience along with the numbness?.Your doctor will also take a medical history and ask for a description of your symptoms. This allows a doctor to view your brain and identify any blockages or bleeding that could be causing your symptoms. A doctor may order a computed tomography (CT) scan if you’re having stroke-like symptoms. Diabetes is a common cause of foot numbness because the metabolic changes can cause nerve damage.ĭiagnosing foot numbness depends upon how severe your symptoms are. If you have diabetes, make an appointment to see your doctor or podiatrist for foot numbness. You should also see your doctor if the numbness in your foot is getting worse. Make an appointment to see your doctor if the numbness in your foot is causing you to trip or fall frequently. transient ischemic attack (also known as TIA or “mini-stroke”).While not always an emergency, a combination of foot numbness and these symptoms can be a sign of: numbness that occurs after a head injury.numbness that involves multiple parts of the body.numbness that begins in a matter of minutes or hours.Seek immediate medical attention if you experience the following symptoms as well as numbness in your foot: Numbness in your foot that occurs suddenly and with other symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, can be cause for concern. When do I seek medical help for numbness in my foot? A pins-and-needles feeling usually follows before circulation and sensation return to your foot. When you stand and blood flow returns, your foot may feel as if it’s numb. This sensation loss - often called “going to sleep” - occurs because the nerves that lead to the foot are compressed while you sit. You may also experience numbness in your foot after prolonged episodes of sitting. vasculitis or inflammation of the blood vessels.side effect of chemotherapy medications.Medical conditions that can cause numbness in your foot include: If you experience damage, a blockage, infection, or compression of a nerve that travels to the foot, you may experience numbness in your foot. Your body is a complex network of nerves that travel from the tips of your toes and fingers to your brain and back again.

Pins and needles feeling in feet