Foot numbness may not seem like all that serious of a symptom, especially when compared to things like pain or the inability to bear full weight on your foot. That said, numbness isn’t just something you should ignore, because it could be a sign of a major underlying issue. In today’s blog, we explain what you should do if you’re experiencing chronic foot numbness, and what types of issues this numbness could signify.
Is Chronic Foot Numbness Serious
Chronic foot numbness can be caused by a number of different issues, so it’s impossible to say that numbness is always caused by a specific issue in your foot. Oftentimes it is caused by either nerve damage or lack of adequate blood supply to the feet, but these issues could be caused by a host of problems, so if you’re dealing with chronic numbness, it’s a good idea to get an evaluation from a foot specialist.
During this evaluation, your foot specialist will talk to you about your numbness, when it tends to develop and resolve, how long it’s been present and other questions related to your condition and your overall health. From there, your physician will likely conduct a physical exam to look for any visible cues as to what may be going on in your feet. They may also order an imaging test like an X-ray, MRI or CT scan to take a closer look at tissues and nerves that can’t be seen with the naked eye.
Treatment will be based on the underlying cause of your foot numbness. For example, if nerve impingement is the issue, physical therapy, targeted exercise and weight loss all may help to decrease or eliminate symptoms. If your numbness is being caused by your underlying diabetes, better management of this condition with the help of diet, exercise and blood sugar control may help control symptoms. Oftentimes numbness can be reduced or eliminated by pursuing active treatments, but only if you really understand the underlying cause.
If you’re experiencing foot numbness, especially if it’s paired with symptoms like balance problems, bladder control issues or muscle weakness, you owe it to yourself to have the condition looked at by a specialist. Numbness isn’t always a sign of a serious issue, but it could be a warning sign of a problem that could intensify if treatment isn’t pursued. If this numbness begins to affect your balance or gait, you could also be at risk for a potentially devastating fall.