Numbness of the legs results from a compression of the blood flow or to a nerve. This damage can be caused by inflammation, trauma, disease, or infection. The numbness can dissipate quickly or be felt for a prolonged period of time, depending on the underlying cause.
Numbness can be referred to as paresthesia when there is no apparent reason for it. With this condition, tingling, prickling, or a burning sensation is also a possibility. You may experience leg numbness with compression on nerves after continued sitting or standing, or nerve damage from health conditions such as multiple sclerosis. It can also be caused by a blood flow interruption due to circulatory conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, Buerger’s disease, arteriovenous malformation, frostbite, or peripheral artery disease.
Leg numbness can also be a symptom of a neurological disease known as alcohol leg, hypothyroidism, diabetic neuropathy, lead poisoning, or systemic lupus. It can also be caused by or indicate a possible stroke or tumor. Furthermore, the nerves may be affected by a deficiency in vitamin B12 and inflammation within the spinal cord.
