Resolved question:
Hi! I am currently wondering what could be causing the average pain and numbness on my right leg and more precisely on the inner side of it. I've noticed it few nights ago for the first time and tonight it has gotten worse. I can't sleep because of it. No position doesn't seen to bring relief. Should I be worried and head to doctor? The leg does not seen to be swallen, but it is a bit cold and stiff and as said it numb and occasionally I feel tinckeling on my foot and anckle. As a background information i am 30 year old, non-smoking,normal sized woman. I am using birthcontrol pills. Yesterday I've traveled in a car 7 hours and today I've been running 40mins with high intencity, in addition I have been standing today for few hours. What should I do? Should I just take painkillers and hope to get some sleep and keep eye on the situation? This is really starting to bother me.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Family Physician-GP
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
First of all, I would like to reassure you that your symptoms do not suggest any serious neurological disease, and there is no need to worry at present. It is possible that you have mild neuropathy related to mechanical compression due to travel, exercises, etc.
Mechanical compression can occur at the level of the spine or even at lower down while the nerve travels through its course. The numbness along with a radiating pain is the classical sign of nerve compression. The first step would be rest and NSAID pain medications. They are not only pain meds, they can also reduce the inflammation. You can take an OTC pain medication like Ibuprofen 400 mg thrice daily after food. Try to lie down and take rest. At any cost avoid exercise, strain or weight bearing. Try sleeping in different positions and you will find a comfortable position by trial and error. Keep that postion as your rest position. You can keep a pillow between your legs (while sleeping on your side, between your knees) to see whether it helps.
With rest and pain meds the symptoms should resolve in a 2-4 days. Then you can resume your activities with caution. If the pain again recurs (less likely) then you will need further evaluation in form of a complete neurological examination. An MRI might be required if there is persistent pain to localise the problem. Anyway for now this is nothing serious. This is a common symptom, which should resolve soon.
I hope it helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries.
Best wishes