Numbness of the thigh in different planes

Pathologies of the musculoskeletal system are not always potential causes of the appearance of areas of sensitivity impairment. This can be facilitated by polyneuropathy, diabetes mellitus, other endocrine pathologies, and circulatory disorders. Thigh numbness is an alarming neurological symptom that may indicate serious disorders in the human body.

For any type of hip numbness, you should consult a neurologist. This doctor will examine you and determine the potential cause of the areas of skin sensitivity. Depending on the preliminary diagnosis, additional examination and treatment are prescribed.

In Moscow, you can make an appointment with a neurologist at our manual therapy clinic. The initial consultation for each patient is provided completely free of charge. To make an appointment, just call the administrator and agree on an appointment time.

Thigh numbness can be superficial - in this case, intradermal nerve endings, muscular and deep, are affected. Muscle numbness is the most serious type of symptom complex. It indicates severe damage to a large nerve branch. Often associated with compression in the lumbosacral spine. Damage to the nerves that are responsible for the innervation of the muscle fiber leads to paresis or paralysis. Motor activity is impaired, first the person begins to limp, and then loses the ability to move independently.

According to the location, numbness of the thigh is divided into posterior and anterior, internal lateral and external lateral. Based on the location of the numbness, an experienced neurologist will be able to preliminarily determine the cause of the appearance of this clinical symptom. So, if the back surface of the thigh is affected, then we are probably talking about pinching of the sciatic nerve. With numbness of the anterior surface, the femoral nerve most often suffers, which can be pinched by the inguinal circular ligament, hernia, etc. The lateral surfaces are affected by complications of lumbosacral osteochondrosis.

Later in the article we will look in more detail at the potential causes of hip numbness. If you have the described accompanying symptoms, we recommend that you urgently make an appointment with a neurologist. Prolonged compression of the nerve fiber leads to its ischemia and necrosis. When a nerve fiber is destroyed, it is very difficult to restore its functionality. Sometimes this requires months of rehabilitation.

Common causes of thigh numbness

There are general and local causes of numbness in the thighs and legs, which provoke more than 70% of all clinical cases of the development of the symptom complex. The causes of numbness of the thigh surface can be traumatic, inflammatory, tumor, orthopedic, etc.

Among the potential negative impact factors are the following conditions:

excess body weight, which negatively affects the state of the endocrine system;
a sedentary lifestyle, which results in stagnation of lymphatic fluid, which forms the prerequisites for interstitial edema, due to which compression of the nerve fiber occurs;
sedentary work, leading to compression of large nerves in the area of the gluteal muscles and tuberosities of the ischial bones;
wearing tight clothing that compresses the soft tissues of the upper extremities;
doing heavy physical labor;
violation of ergonomic rules for organizing sleeping and working spaces;
poor posture;
incorrect placement of the foot in the form of clubfoot or flat feet;
wearing high-heeled shoes.

Numbness is not a disease. This is a symptom of a neurogenic nature, manifested in a number of diseases. Numbness is caused by compression of the nerve fiber. The higher the location of the lesion, the larger the area of numbness is determined. Local causes of the appearance of such a neurological symptom are associated with impaired conduction through the sensory (sensitive) neural network. Damaged axons can fully recover with timely medical care. Therefore, it is important to see a doctor in a timely manner.

Other causes of numbness in the thigh are diseases of the following etiology:

injuries of the lumbosacral spine and coccyx (bruises, sprains, ruptures of the ligamentous and tendon apparatus, cracks and fractures of the spinous processes, compression fractures of the vertebral bodies);
dystrophic degenerative pathologies of intervertebral discs and emerging complications of osteochondrosis (protrusion of the fibrous ring, hernial protrusions of the nucleus pulposus, herniated sequestration, spinal canal stenosis);
lesions of intervertebral and uncovertebral joints (spondylosis and spondylarthrosis);
destruction and sclerosis of the subchondral endplates of the articular surfaces;
dystrophy of the muscular frame of the back;
Ankylosing spondylitis (ankylosing spondylitis);
piriformis syndrome;
curvature of the spinal column;
destruction of the iliosacral and hip joints of the bones;
tunnel syndromes.

All of these conditions can potentially cause numbness. But do not forget about other pathologies. They may include hemodynamic disturbances, the development of tumors, the appearance of a hernia in the groin area, etc.

Neuropathy of the external cutaneous nerve of the thigh

Neuropathy of the external cutaneous nerve of the thigh is a tunnel syndrome of peripheral nerve damage. In the medical literature you can find several synonyms for the name of this disease: meralgia paresthetica, lateral cutaneous nerve syndrome of the thigh, Roth syndrome, Roth-Bernhardt disease.

Development mechanism

The nerve and its branches extending to the knee joint innervate the outer and partially anterior femoral surfaces. The most vulnerable part of the nerve is where it exits the pelvic cavity: above the anterior superior iliac spine or under the inguinal ligament. It is there or in the tunnel formed by the connective tissue membrane of the thigh muscles that it is compressed, causing the development of the syndrome.

Neuropathy manifests itself as numbness, tingling, pain in the area of the anterolateral surface of the thigh, with increased load and intense pain - impaired walking. Roth-Bernhardt disease occurs mainly in middle-aged and elderly people, and the incidence in men is three times higher than in women.

Why does meralgia paresthetica develop more often after 50 years of age? This is explained by age-related degenerative changes in nervous tissue due to:

obstructed venous outflow;
inferiority of the capillary network;
metabolic disorders.

Provoking factors

Complaints begin to appear when the compressive effect of the provoking factor becomes critical. Compression in the groin area or at the level of the iliacus muscle can occur as a result of:

wearing a corset, a tight belt, excessively tight underwear;
excess fat deposition in the lower anterior abdominal wall and hip area;
retroperitoneal hemorrhage;
tumor process;
inflammatory infiltrate of the abdominal cavity;
surgical intervention on the abdominal organs.

Causes of numb skin on the thigh

Numbness of the skin on the thigh may be a result of compression of the sciatic and femoral nerves.

Potential causes of numb skin on the thigh include the following:

violations of tissue trophism after injury (sprain of inguinal ligaments, soft tissue bruises with the development of internal hematomas, fractures, etc.);
development of fibromas and neuromas in the area of nervous tissues responsible for the innervation of the epidermis;
the use of certain medications that negatively affect the condition of the nerves;
performing liposuction surgery;
improperly performed hardware massage, which injures internal tissues;
disruption of the movement of lymphatic fluid, it stagnates, sweats into the intercellular space and lymphostasis occurs with the risk of cellulite;
circulatory disorders due to atherosclerosis, varicose veins of the lower extremities, obstructive endarteritis, etc.;
osteoarthritis of large joints of the lower extremities (knee, ankle and hip);
incorrect position of the head of the femur in the articular cavity of the ischium;
piriformis syndrome;
spastic muscle lesions in the groin area;
prolapse of internal organs;
some somatic diseases;
consequences of a cerebral stroke.

Diagnosis begins with a visit to a neurologist. During the examination and initial diagnostic tests, the doctor will be able to determine the location of the nerve fiber lesion. Then, during additional examinations, the diagnosis is either confirmed or limbo is refuted. Treatment is only possible for a disease that is accompanied by a symptom such as numbness of the skin of the thigh. It is impossible to cope with the symptom itself. Immediately after stopping the pharmacological drug, the sign of the disease will return again and again.

Reasons why the thigh on the right side goes numb

The answer to the question of why the right thigh is numb will not differ much from listing the reasons for the appearance of unpleasant sensations in the left leg. More often the right thigh goes numb after various traumatic effects. It should be understood that for most people, it is the right leg that bears the main load when jumping, running, etc. This is due to the fact that this lower limb is more physically developed. But, since a person prefers to land on his right leg after making a jump, the likelihood of injury increases proportionally.

The main reason why the right thigh is numb lies in a dystrophic degenerative change in the fibrous ring of the L5-S1 intervertebral disc. it bears all the main physical load during human movements.

In some cases, the right side of the thigh becomes numb due to poor posture. The habit of slouching leads to deformation of the lumbar spine. This entails a disruption of the process of innervation of the lower extremities.

Numbness of the outer (outer) thigh

Periodic numbness of the outer thigh is a symptom of the development of degenerative dystrophic disease of the spinal column. When there is strong compression of the intervertebral discs (for example, during prolonged sitting or when performing heavy physical work), partial dehydration of the fibrous ring occurs. This leads to the effect of secondary inflammation. Mast cells are drawn into the lesion, and capillary blood flow increases. Swelling of soft tissues increases. All this leads to compression of the radicular nerves.

After eliminating the inflammation, the swelling decreases and the numbness of the outer surface of the thigh gradually disappears without additional treatment. However, after some time it appears again and again. This happens until a persistent protrusion of the intervertebral disc is formed or a herniated protrusion of the nucleus pulposus appears. In this situation, the numbness of the outer thigh becomes persistent and can last for several weeks. This is a very negative symptom in terms of prognosis for the restoration of the musculoskeletal system. Therefore, it is important to see a neurologist in the first 2-3 days after the feeling of numbness appears.

Treatment

A prerequisite for achieving a positive effect in the treatment of chronic paresthesia is the elimination of the immediate cause that led to its development. It is necessary to treat comprehensively, using medication, physiotherapy and reflexology methods. Achieving results is facilitated by:

balanced diet;
normalization of body weight;
to give up smoking;
exclusion of alcohol;
therapeutic physical exercises, especially swimming and walking.

The sooner the patient seeks qualified medical help, the more successful and cheaper the treatment will be.

Numbness in the front and back of the thigh

If there is numbness of the thigh surface, you should pay attention to the accompanying clinical symptoms. This can be pain of various localizations. For example, if, with numbness on the front surface of the thigh, pain appears in the area of the gluteal muscle when moving the leg to the side, then the cause is most likely damage to the sciatic nerve.

Numbness in the back of the thigh may be associated with deformity of the hip joint. Coxarthrosis leads to constant increased tension in the area of the piriformis and gluteal muscles. With prolonged static stress, hemodynamics change and provoke stagnation of lymphatic fluid.

The main reasons why thighs go numb

There are a variety of reasons why thighs become numb, and they can include a huge list of pathologies. We will consider only the main factors under the influence of which such a symptom occurs. The first reason why the hips become numb is the development of lumbosacral osteochondrosis with various complications. In modern humans, dystrophic degenerative disease of the spinal column is the leading cause of impaired innervation in almost all parts of the body.

Why are the lower extremities more affected:

by the age of 25 years, a person experiences physiological deformation of the spinal column with a change in the process of distribution of shock-absorbing load - all the vertebrae of the sacral region are fused together;
transformation of the spine due to fusion of the sacrum leads to the fact that an increased shock-absorbing load begins to be placed on the intervertebral disc located between the last lumbar and first sacral vertebrae;
the process of degeneration of cartilage tissue begins;
with prolonged development, an intervertebral hernia occurs, which puts pressure on the outgoing radicular nerves;
This is how the primary symptom complex is formed, indicating radiculopathy.

This is why the thigh becomes numb with the development of osteochondrosis. But this is not the only potential disease. This is followed by instability of the position of the vertebral bodies. This pathology is characterized by “subsidence” not only of the intervertebral discs, but also of the vertebral bodies. The cause may be osteoporosis (usually occurs over the age of 50) or endplate sclerosis (can develop at a fairly young age).

As a result of a decrease in the height of the spinal column, instability in the position of the vertebral bodies develops, since the longitudinal ligaments maintain their length for a long time. This is also facilitated by partial dystrophy of the muscular frame of the back. Those who suffer mainly are those engaged in sedentary mental work and who do not pay due attention to the development of their physical fitness.

Numbness of the thigh can be a consequence of the development of tunnel syndrome, traumatic disruption of the integrity of soft tissues, tumor growth, etc. We'll look at the potential causes in more detail later in the article.

Numbness of part of the muscles in the thigh area

Numbness of the thigh muscles is often associated with impaired conduction of nerve impulses. This may be a consequence of a violation of the water electrolyte balance in the human body. During menopause, a woman's body experiences hormonal imbalance. It leads to disruption of the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus. If you do not respond to such pathological changes, then pronounced clinical symptoms of osteoporosis appear.

Numbness in part of the thigh is a consequence of osteoporosis. Therefore, when diagnosing, a bone density study should be performed. This is especially true for women aged 50–55 years.

Another potential cause of numbness in the thigh area is a deficiency in the body of magnesium and B vitamins. They are responsible for the synthesis of prostaglandins. These substances regulate the conduction of nerve impulses and help restore the cellular structure of motor and sensory axons. Deficiency of magnesium and B vitamins can be detected using a biochemical blood test.

Reasons for the development of paresthesia

Paresthesia in the lower extremities is accompanied not only by numbness, but also by tingling, burning, and pain of varying intensity. The listed sensations may be short-lived, or may bother the patient for a long time or occur in the form of attacks. Accordingly, the former are called transient, and the latter - chronic paresthesia.

Transient sensory disturbances

If, after excessive physical activity or a long stay in an uncomfortable position, the outer surface of the right leg cannot be felt, or the thigh of the left leg on the outside becomes numb, the reasons for the loss of sensation are obvious. In this case, temporary numbness is caused by:

violation of local blood circulation;
mechanical compression of the superficial nerve;
irritation of nerve endings by acidic products of cellular metabolism.

This sensitivity disorder does not require special treatment measures and goes away on its own. To do this, rest, changing body position, and light massage are enough.

Long-term sensory disturbances

When the outer side of the thigh is not felt for a long time, the pathological changes are more serious than with passing paresthesia. They may be the result of a primary lesion of the nervous system or be a consequence of a long-term illness. Chronic paresthesia of the anterior and lateral parts of the lower limb from the hip to the knee is caused by:

neuropathy of the external cutaneous nerve of the thigh;
osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine;
intervertebral hernia of the lumbosacral region;
hip arthritis;
deforming arthrosis of the hip joint;
multiple sclerosis;
diabetic neuropathy;
atherosclerosis of blood vessels of the lower extremities;
alcoholic polyneuropathy;
hip injury;
tumor process.

The various mechanisms of action of these negative factors ultimately boil down to changes in metabolic processes in nervous tissue and disruption of the conduction of nerve impulses.

Treatment for hip numbness

To treat hip numbness, you must first conduct a thorough differential diagnosis and identify the disease that provokes a disturbance in the conduction of nerve impulses. The patient is prescribed an X-ray of the lumbosacral spine, ultrasound of the internal organs of the abdominal cavity and pelvis, angiography and duplex scanning of the veins and arteries of the lower extremities, etc.

After diagnosis, it is possible to conduct a course of manual therapy aimed at complete restoration of damaged tissue. In our manual therapy clinic, such a course is always developed individually. The doctor gives recommendations on normalizing the daily routine, diet, organization of work and sleeping space.

When developing a course of therapy, the physiological characteristics of the patient, his age, and the presence of concomitant diseases, including somatic ones, are taken into account.

We use manual techniques, kinesiotherapy, physiotherapy, traction traction of the spinal column, reflexology, massage, osteopathy and many other types of therapeutic effects.

If you require treatment for numbness on any surface of the thigh, schedule a free initial consultation with a neurologist at our manual therapy clinic. After making a diagnosis, the doctor will tell you about the prospects for using manual therapy techniques in your case.

Legs are taken away. When to see a doctor?

There are a number of diseases that can cause loss of legs. The most common are: diabetes mellitus, spinal diseases and vascular lesions.

Diabetes

The most common cause of this phenomenon. This is especially pronounced in patients suffering from type 2 diabetes in the final stages. In type 1, leg withdrawal rarely occurs. A constant increase and decrease in blood sugar levels causes angiopathy, that is, destruction of the walls of blood vessels. As a result, neuropathy – damage to nerve endings – soon begins to progress. Late detection of the disease and insufficient control of the patient’s condition can lead to a severe deterioration in the blood supply to the lower extremities and even provoke their complete failure.

Osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a disease that causes deterioration of the intervertebral discs. Thus, the vertebrae, moving closer to each other, compress the nerves of the lumbosacral region, which are responsible for the functioning of the lower extremities. Due to insufficient innervation, numbness and pain occur. Osteochondrosis affects most adults aged 40 to 50 years. The disease is accompanied by:

pain in the lower back when bending over;
stiffness of movements;
periodic numbness of the legs, accompanied by severe pain.

It is impossible to completely cure osteochondrosis, but massage sessions and medications can significantly alleviate symptoms. Prevention is by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and regular exercise.

rheumatoid arthritis

The symptoms are similar to osteochondrosis. With rheumatoid arthritis, the right or left leg is also amputated, but the cause of acute pain is inflammation of the cartilage tissue, not the bone. The disease can become a complication of a common cold, hypothermia or flu, in which lymphocytes begin to mistake the body's own cells for foreign ones and destroy them. As a result of joint destruction, the lower limbs may completely lose the ability to move. Rheumatoid arthritis requires long-term treatment with hormonal medications and constant medical supervision. Chronic arthritis cannot be cured, so you should not let the disease take its course. The most extreme measure is joint replacement surgery.

Raynaud's syndrome

Raynaud's syndrome is a disease that occurs with spastic damage to the blood vessels of the fingers. This disease is more common in women.

The symptoms are:

change in skin color of the extremities;
tingling and burning in the fingers;
abduction of the left leg in the hip area.

Occurs with systematic hypothermia of the fingers, injuries and vibrations during work in production. It worsens in winter at low temperatures as a result of lack of oxygen and vascular spasm. Taking medications and eliminating factors that cause spasms are ways to relieve pain. An advanced disease and improper treatment can lead to limb dystrophy.

Intervertebral hernia

A hernia in the area of the intervertebral disc also has such an unpleasant symptom as numbness of the limbs, accompanied by fatigue and pain. The pain in the legs is especially severe when staying in one position for a long time. Most often, the disease affects the lumbar vertebrae. This occurs due to compression of the nerve endings. Depending on the location, a hernia can cause pain: in the buttocks, calves and feet. treatment of intervertebral hernia

only possible through surgical removal. Unfortunately, there is a high probability of recurrence. Therefore, after surgery, it is recommended to visit the doctor more often in order to immediately detect the disease.

Atherosclerosis

The most common disease of the cardiovascular system. It occurs as a result of the formation of fatty deposits on the walls of blood vessels, as well as due to age-related changes.

The first signs are usually:

heaviness in the legs when climbing stairs and running;
fatigue even when walking normally;
pain and loss of sensation (later).

Any blood vessels in the body, including the legs, are susceptible to atherosclerosis. The most dangerous damage is to the arteries and veins of the brain, which leads to dementia and other serious diseases. Prevention consists of proper nutrition and the absence of bad habits.

Overvoltage

Normal muscle strain is accompanied by a feeling of heaviness, as well as numbness in both the upper and lower extremities. This condition is very familiar to athletes, as well as older people. You can take a warm bath, get a massage, or undergo physical therapy. These measures will help relieve muscle pain and relieve tension. It is worth paying attention to the intensity of the load and reducing it if necessary.

What to do when your legs are taken away?

First of all, you need to see a doctor. The many causes that cause this problem make it difficult to make a correct diagnosis. For timely detection and prescription of correct treatment, consultation with a therapist, traumatologist, orthopedist and vascular surgeon may be required.

Be sure to undergo a full examination using:

X-ray therapy of the spine;
MRI;
Ultrasound of the brain and spinal cord;
Ultrasound of the cardiovascular system.

Detection of the disease at an early stage facilitates timely treatment. In some cases, taking appropriate medications will be sufficient. Sometimes constant monitoring by a doctor in a hospital is required. If an intervertebral hernia is detected, surgery will be required. The effectiveness of treatment largely depends on the patient. A healthy lifestyle will help both avoid illness and relieve symptoms.

Prevention measures:

avoid nervous tension and overwork;
follow the rules of proper nutrition;
Get physically active every day.

Author: K.M.N., Academician of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences M.A. Bobyr

Numbness of the right and left legs - how to deal with it?

Numbness of the left leg, as well as the right, is a fairly common occurrence. With the help of certain preventive measures you can prevent this condition:

If you regularly exercise, you can prevent numbness in your right and left legs. The fact is that sports activities increase blood circulation in the limbs and contribute to the development of the spine. It is recommended to engage in sports such as cycling, swimming, jumping in place and many others.
Stop drinking drinks with a high caffeine content (tea, coffee) and try to get rid of bad habits. Strong drinks and nicotine lead to spasm of blood vessels and the development of numbness in the legs, the causes of which can be different.
Eat more foods containing vitamin B12 and iron.
Take contrast baths in the morning and evening. Such baths help relieve the condition.
Dress according to the weather, avoiding hypothermia.

If numbness and pain in your limbs constantly bother you and interfere with normal work and rest, then you definitely need to make an appointment with a doctor. Do not delay your visit to the doctor, as it is fraught with numerous complications.

Treatment of numbness of the lower extremities by qualified specialists of our clinic

With complaints about such a common symptom as numbness in the legs, you can walk through numerous offices for a long time without receiving an answer. Our clinic takes a comprehensive approach to the problem of numbness in the legs, the causes of which are not always obvious. In most cases, numbness of the lower extremities develops due to osteochondrosis and circulatory disorders. Most often clients contact us with the following complaints:

Numbness of the toes, the causes of which vary, gradually disappears.
An attack of severe back pain, accompanied by numbness in the left leg or right from the knee to the foot.
Numbness of the toes with a feeling of coldness and heaviness in the extremities.
Numbness of the feet.

Doctors at our clinic with extensive experience will diagnose your body in order to identify the causes of the ailment. Most diseases associated with such a symptom as numbness of the leg, the causes of which are different, can be successfully treated. We use only the most proven and modern treatment methods. People who are faced with an attack of numbness and tingling in their legs doubt what to do in such a situation - immediately consult a specialist or wait a little. If attacks of numbness in the legs, the causes and treatment of which require high-quality diagnosis, then you should definitely consult a doctor. It is important to detect the cause of this condition as early as possible. Such a harmless, at first glance, feeling of numbness in the legs can be a signal of serious illness.

The outer thighs become numb

In some patients, the outer thigh becomes numb, but the skin sensitivity on the inner side is completely preserved. For a neurologist, this clinical sign indicates that the iliohypogastric nerve is affected. most likely this condition was provoked by the development of osteochondrosis in the thoracolumbar spine.

Very often, the thighs on the outside become numb with the development of vascular pathologies, such as atherosclerosis, varicose veins of the lower extremities, diabetic angiopathy, etc.

Numbness of the external projection of the thigh may be associated with intoxication of the body. But the most dangerous disease that manifests itself with a similar clinical symptom is spinal canal stenosis. It can be caused by prolapse of an intervertebral hernia, traumatic deformation, the appearance of scar tissue in the dural sac, displacement of vertebral bodies, etc. If such a symptom appears, you should consult a neurologist as soon as possible. The specialist will conduct an examination, make an accurate diagnosis and provide the necessary medical assistance.

Part of the thigh goes numb: muscle and skin on the surface

In most cases, part of the thigh becomes numb, and the rest of the lower limb retains its innervation in full. This is typical for damage to individual branches arising from the radicular nerve or plexus. Complete numbness of the entire limb is an extremely unfavorable clinical symptom that requires emergency medical attention.

Usually, a certain thigh muscle goes numb, the innervation of which is supplied by the nerve fiber that has been subjected to compression. The stronger the compression on the nerve, the higher the intensity of the manifestation of the clinical sign. With complete paralysis, we can say that there is no conduction of the nerve fiber. With slight compression, sensitivity may disappear for a while and return.

The localization of the pathological process indicates which nerve is damaged. So, if the skin on the thigh becomes numb, then with a high degree of probability the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh, which is formed by the root nerves L2 and L3, is damaged. A similar clinical symptom appears with osteochondrosis, herniated disc, compression fracture, subluxation of a vertebra, displacement of its body towards the spinal canal, destruction of the uncovertebral joint between these vertebral bodies in the lumbar spine.

At the initial stages of the development of such pathologies, the surface of the thigh becomes numb, then the disruption of innervation begins to spread to the muscles and blood vessels. In the absence of properly provided medical care, the process of trophic damage to soft tissues may begin. Due to a total disruption of innervation, aseptic necrosis of the femoral head often occurs.