Pain Down the Leg
Pain down the leg is often triggered by a pinched nerve in the lumbar region of the back. When a nerve is pinched, compressed, or damaged, uncomfortable sensations can arise elsewhere in the body including the leg, foot, and toes. Our physiatrists commonly treat pinched nerves associated with:
Tingling in Feet & Lumbar Radiculopathy
Pain down the leg, tingling in the feet, and/or toe numbness is often connected with chronic back pain. Lumbar radiculopathy also known as Sciatica, is a common diagnosis for this type of pain. Other possible conditions include:
- Herniated disc
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spinal stenosis
All of these symptoms arise when a lumbar nerve root is pinched or compressed. Damage at each lumbar level of the spine targets specific areas of the lower body. A specialist can evaluate your individual condition and recommend the most appropriate treatment.
Toe Numbness & Nerve Compression
Numbness in the toes may be caused by compression of one of the spinal nerves. Although the toes are far from the spine, nerves stretch the full length of the body and connect directly to the toes.
Causes of toe numbness are similar to those of leg pain and may include:
- Bulging or herniated discs pressing on nerve roots
- Degenerative bone spurs around the vertebral bones
- Lumbar radiculopathy from direct nerve root irritation
Related Conditions
Leg pain and toe numbness can be connected to several spine conditions. Learn more about each:
Experiencing pain down your leg or numbness in your toes?
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