5 Causes of Numbness in Your Feet & Ankles

Experiencing numbness and tingling in your feet and ankles can cause everyday activities like standing, exercising, and walking to lead to falls and debilitating foot and ankle injuries. Not being able to feel your feet is a common complication of diabetes that can also cause infections to worsen. If you can’t feel sensation in your feet you, may not even know the infection is there and this can delay proper treatment. Seeing your foot doctor regularly will help prevent diabetic foot complications and other painful foot or ankle surprises. 

5 causes of tingling and numbness in your feet and ankles include the following: 

1. Neuropathy and neuroma—Neuropathy is nerve damage caused by excess blood sugar levels and is indicative of diabetes. A neuroma is a nerve growth that can cause numbness. Morton’s neuroma frequently affects the feet.

2. Tight-fitting shoes—Wearing shoes that are too tight (like high heels, for example) can cramp your feet and interfere with nerve operation and blood circulation causing numbness and tingling.

3. Sitting still for too long—The nerves in the legs and feet can become blocked by staying in one position for too long such as during a long trip or while watching a movie. Get up and stretch your legs at least once an hour to help avoid nerve pinching.

4. Foot or ankle injury—Injury to the foot or ankle can result in numbness and tingling if any nerves are damaged during the injury.

5. Spinal cord trouble—A slipped disc or other back problem can cause foot and ankle numbness and tingling.

If you are suffering from numbness and tingling in your feet, see your foot doctor for the proper diagnosis and care. Dr. Scott Nelson of Foot and Ankle Medical Clinic in Garland, TX (county of Dallas), is a board-certified and highly experienced podiatrist who has helped people suffering from all types of foot and ankle injuries and deformities. From bunions to diabetic foot problems, sports injuries, and fungal nails, you can trust that Dr. Nelson and his staff are wholeheartedly devoted to your foot health. Please contact our office with any questions you may have or to schedule an appointment by calling 972-414-9800.