Tingling in toes can be caused by sitting cross-legged, injury, restless legs syndrome, tarsal tunnel syndrome, spinal problems, sciatica, degenerative disc disease, peripheral neuropathy, and blood vessel disease. Treatments include drugs, muscle relaxants, opioids, rest, activity adjustments, and surgery.
Tingling in your toes, a sensation often felt when your feet go numb, can be caused by a number of problems. Simple causes could be sitting cross-legged for too long or an injury. These problems are usually temporary. More complex causes could arise from conditions, such as restless legs syndrome (RLS) and tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS). When most other causes are ruled out, spinal problems could be a cause.
RLS is a neurological condition. In addition to tingling in the toes, sufferers may experience other sensations, such as burning feet and an uncontrollable urge to keep moving their legs and feet. Symptoms are usually unbearable while trying to sleep, and prolonged sitting and stillness can also be uncomfortable. Treatments include drugs to control dopamine production in the brain, muscle relaxants, and opioids.
TTS is similar to carpal tunnel syndrome of the wrist, but occurs in the ankle area. Tingling in the toes, feet, and numbness in the toes occur because the sensory nerve becomes irritated. Although many cases can be treated with rest and activity adjustments, some cases may require surgical treatment. A surgical procedure can help reduce the pressure causing the nerve irritation.
Spine conditions can be another cause of tingling toes. In some cases, sufferers may also notice tingling in their fingers. Numbness in the hands is also reported by many patients.
There are many other conditions that can cause tingling and burning sensations. Sciatica is the pinching or compression of the sciatic nerve, a nerve that runs along the lower spine to the leg. Degenerative disc disease is a condition that occurs when the discs or disc tissue between the vertebrae wears away over time, often putting pressure on the nerves in the spine. Both of these possible causes of tingling sensations are usually fixed with minor back surgery to correct the problems.
Peripheral neuropathy also has tingling in the toes as a symptom. This condition occurs when nerves in the peripheral nervous system (PNS), the system that connects organs and limbs to the central nervous system, are damaged. The PNS is not protected by the skull or spine, making it vulnerable to injury.
Blood vessel disease is another possible cause of numbness, tingling burning sensations in the feet and toes. Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is caused by a blockage of the blood supply. Atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque in the arteries, reduces blood flow to the limbs and organs.
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