The big toe on the right foot is numb, it does not go away. Causes

Numbness big toe on the right foot - this is a sign of a physiological reaction of the body to one or several external stimuli at once, or a symptom of a pathological state of the vascular system of the lower extremities. Men and women who lead a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle and wear too tight shoes periodically face such unpleasant sensations.

Epidemiology of numbness of the big toes

Scientific studies show that about 90% of all clinical cases of periodic numbness of the big toe are associated with the presence of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. After a more detailed examination of patients with this diagnosis, signs of the initial stage of the formation of herniated intervertebral discs were found.

According to informational data from other studies, about 40% of cases of frequent or periodic numbness of a large toe is a complication of a person's already existing endocrine, cardiovascular or infectious disease etiology.

At least 30% of all patients who were examined had a hereditary predisposition to numbness of the big toe. After talking with the attending physician, it turned out that close relatives of the sick person through the father or mother faced a similar problem.

Every 5th case of loss of sensitivity of the tissues of the big toe has an inflammatory nature of origin. At the same time, doctors are not always able to identify the main cause causing the pathological condition of the tissues of the lower extremity. This complicates the process of selecting further therapies.

Causes of numbness of the big toe on the right

Numbness of the big toe on the right is caused by pathological or physiological factors. The reasons provoking this symptomatology are established during the diagnostic examination of the blood vessels and tissues of the leg, lumbar spine.

Physiological

Exposure to physiological causes that cause numbness of the thumb of the lower extremity does not pose a significant threat for human health, and unpleasant symptoms soon disappear on their own without the use of special means therapy.

There are the following factors, the impact of which leads to a short-term loss of sensitivity in this part of the leg:

• wearing too tight shoes;
• hard physical work with prolonged standing;
• professional engagement in certain sports, which provide for the creation of an additional load on the plantar part of the foot and toes (football, hockey, basketball, kickboxing);
• hereditary predisposition;
• hypothermia of the lower extremities, but without signs of frostbite;
• prolonged sitting position, when the right lower limb is thrown from above onto the left leg.

Physiological causes of big toe numbness cause short-term symptoms. A person feels a slight tingling or burning sensation in the tissues of the lower limb, which completely disappears after 2-3 minutes. after changing the position of the body or taking off tight shoes.

Pathological

The big toe on the right foot is numb for no apparent reason - this is a sign of the possible presence of a latent disease with a chronic form of the course.

There are the following pathological factors that cause the occurrence of such symptoms:

• complications of diabetes mellitus, when high blood glucose levels lead to a violation of the innervation of the tissues of the lower leg;
• age-related changes in blood vessels that cause local circulatory disorders;
• chronic osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine with signs of inflammatory and degenerative changes in the structure of the intervertebral discs;
• depletion of the body or vitamin deficiency (numbness of the big toe periodically occurs in women, who abuse dietary norms, limit themselves for a long time in taking the majority products);
• benign and cancerous tumors that are localized in the immediate vicinity of the spine;
• progression of HIV infection;
• the consequences of chronic alcoholism or drug addiction from the use of synthetic drugs;
• frostbite of the big toe (in this case, a prolonged feeling of numbness is caused by the destruction of the structure of the smallest blood vessels of the capillaries and soft tissues);
• endarteritis, which is characterized by impaired patency of the arteries;
• pinching of nerve endings in the lumbar spine;
• side effects after using chemotherapy drugs;
• hormonal imbalance in the body caused by disorders in the thyroid gland (excessive synthesis of thyroid hormones or chronic deficiency of these substances);
• complications of a surgical operation that was previously performed on the tissues of the big toe;
• atherosclerosis of the arterial vessels that feed the tissues of the lower leg;
• autoimmune processes in the body, when a person's own cells of the human immune system attack certain groups of tissues, provoking a sluggish inflammation in them;
• rheumatoid arthritis of the connecting joints of the big toe of the right foot;
• chronic intoxication of the body caused by prolonged use of potent drugs, as well as contact with chemicals;
• fracture of the bone tissue of the thumb as a result of injury;
• tunnel cider, the occurrence of which is associated with compression of a peripheral nerve located between the fibula and muscle tissue of the same name.

The big toe on the right foot is numb for a long time or an unpleasant symptom has passed within 10-15 minutes - it does not matter. In the absence of obvious reasons for the occurrence of discomfort in this part of the limb, it is necessary to consult a surgeon for a detailed examination.

Numbness pathogenesis

In most cases, numbness of the big toe of the right foot is observed in situations where the blood vessels the vessels and peripheral nerves that provide the vital activity of its tissues are negatively affected from the outside. This can be squeezing of arteries, veins, capillaries, or kinking of nerve endings. Violation of the natural blood flow in the lower limb leads to a decrease in its local temperature, and then there is a complete or partial loss of sensitivity.

Problems with local blood circulation negatively affect the condition of nerve endings that are not get proper nutrition, are exposed to inflammatory processes, or their innervation function decreases fabrics.

In medical practice, there are cases when the pathological cause of numbness of the big toe was the daily exposure to vibration waves. In conditions of constant shaking, a spasm of the blood vessels of the lower limb occurred, which led to violation of local blood circulation, atrophy of peripheral nerves and loss of sensitivity of the tissues of the lower limbs.

Numbness symptoms

The big toe on the right foot is numb for a few minutes or the discomfort persists for a longer period time - you still need to undergo a comprehensive examination of blood vessels, peripheral nerves and lumbar spine spine.

The pathological condition of this part of the lower limb is accompanied by the following additional symptoms:

• tingling sensation;
• burning sensation in numb tissues;
• decreased functional mobility of the thumb;
• uncomfortable sensations comparable to running goose bumps;
• blanching of the skin in the area of ​​tissue numbness;
• decrease in local temperature of the thumb.

The presence of the latter symptom is characteristic of pathological conditions of this part of the lower limb, which are caused by impaired local blood circulation and poor tissue innervation. In conditions of an inflammatory process, the opposite sign may appear. For example, reddening of the skin and an increase in its local temperature join the feeling of prolonged numbness of the big toe of the right foot. The epithelial tissue becomes hot to the touch and swollen.

Diagnostics

The process of diagnosing numbness of the thumb of the lower extremity includes the use of instrumental and laboratory methods of examination.

Analyzes

The table below shows the main types of tests that will need to be passed to determine the causes of loss of sensitivity in this part of the leg.

Laboratory examination method	Purpose of analysis and cost
Clinical analysis	Capillary blood collected from the ring finger bundle is used as a biological material for the study. Based on the diagnostic results, the possible presence of an inflammatory process, an excess of glucose levels are determined, and general indicators of peripheral blood are established. The average cost of the analysis is 320 rubles.
Biochemical research	A biochemical blood test is necessary in order to obtain information about the presence or the absence of infectious microorganisms in the patient's body, determine the level of hormones and substances that can cause intoxication. The average price for this analysis is 800 rubles.
General urine analysis	This method of laboratory diagnostics is carried out in order to obtain general information about the patient's state of health. The price of a biochemical urine test is about 360 rubles.

Depending on the accompanying symptoms that are present in the patient, the doctor may decide to prescribe additional tests.

Instrumental diagnostics

The use of hardware diagnostic tools allows you to get a more informative examination result with displaying the functional state of the blood vessels of the leg, its peripheral nerves and other parts organism.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound examination of the lower limb allows you to determine the condition of its arteries, veins, capillaries and peripheral nerves. This type of diagnosis does not require special training, is completely painless and is performed within 20-30 minutes. The average cost of an ultrasound of the leg vessels is 2,100 rubles.

Spine X-ray

This diagnostic method allows for a detailed examination of the bone tissue of the lumbar spine, detect possible signs of chronic osteochondrosis, inflammatory-degenerative or oncological process. The average cost of radiography of this part of the musculoskeletal system is 1400 rubles.

MRI and CT

Conducting MRI or CT diagnostics allows the attending physician to conduct a comprehensive examination of the patient's entire body with the study the functional state of his lower limbs, great vessels, peripheral nerves, all parts of the spine and internal tissues organs. The average cost of an examination using MRI and CT machines is 18,000 rubles. and 10,000 rubles. respectively.

Differential diagnosis of numbness of the toes

Differential diagnosis of numbness of the toes requires the involvement of several doctors of different profile specialties.

To do this, the following doctors are included in the patient examination process:

• therapist;
• surgeon;
• neuropathologist;
• rheumatologist;
• endocrinologist;
• angiologist;
• traumatologist.

The big toe on the right leg is suddenly numb for a long period - this is a symptom of a pathological condition of the blood vessels, peripheral nerves or soft tissues of the lower limb. In the process of differential diagnosis, doctors of the above profiles using laboratory and hardware examination exclude the presence of most diseases that cause loss sensitivity of the legs.

First of all, they check for the possible presence of diseases in the patient:

• diabetes;
• neuropathy of the lower extremities;
• atherosclerosis of arterial vessels;
• tumor neoplasms in the lumbar spine;
• chronic osteochondrosis;
• intervertebral hernia.

To perform differential diagnosis, it is sufficient to use standard examination methods, which were listed in the sections above.

 Right Toe Numbness Treatment

Therapy for diseases that cause numbness of the big toes begins only after the patient is finally diagnosed.

Medicines

Loss of sensitivity of the finger of the lower extremity can cause a large number of pathologies.

Depending on the type of underlying disease, drugs of the following categories are used:

• antispasmodics, if the cause of tissue numbness is associated with spasm of capillaries or leg muscles (No-shpa, Droverin, Mebespalin);
• angioprotectors for normalizing the functions of blood vessels (Doxilek, Antistax, Pentoxifylline);
• chondroprotectors for strengthening the bone and connective tissue of the lower extremities, as well as the lumbar spine (Artrakam, Diaflex, Don);
• antibiotics if loss of sensitivity of the thumb is caused by bacterial infection of its tissues (Gentamicin, Ofloxacin, Ampicillin).

The type of medicinal product, the dosage regimen and the duration of its use are determined by the doctor individually for each patient.

Vitamins

The use of vitamin and mineral kits is advisable in cases where the numbness of the big toe is caused by impaired conduction of peripheral nerves. In this case, the attending physician prescribes the intake of drugs that contain vitamins B1 and B12.

The following minerals are also indicated for use:

• magnesium;
• zinc;
• potassium;
• calcium.

The patient may be prescribed a course intake of vitamin-mineral complexes AlfaVit, Multitabs, Vitrum or other drugs. The average duration of fortification of the body is 1 month.

Physiotherapy

To improve local blood circulation in the tissues of a numb finger, prevent stagnation of venous blood and lymphatic fluid, increase the sensitivity of peripheral nerves use the following physiotherapy methods:

• massage of a sore finger;
• heating by electrophoresis;
• mineral baths;
• mud applications;
• ultrasound treatment;
• acupuncture;
• applying medicinal leeches.

Each type of physiotherapy is beneficial for a specific medical condition. The effectiveness of the above methods of treatment increases several times in the case of their use in combination with taking medications.

Folk recipes

There are several popular recipes that help restore sensitivity to a numb toe.

Trays in anti-inflammatory broth

This method is effective for numb toe tissue inflammation.

To prepare an anti-inflammatory agent, the following algorithm of actions must be observed:

1. Take 2 tbsp. l. chamomile.
2. Pour 500 ml of water over the medicinal plant.
3. Boil the liquid for 2 minutes. over low heat.

On the basis of the prepared broth, it is necessary to make baths for the sore finger. The liquid should have a temperature not higher than 30 degrees Celsius. Do not steam a sore toe in hot water.

Rubbing

To apply this folk method of restoring finger sensitivity, you will need to perform the following procedure:

1. Take 50 ml of vodka or moonshine.
2. Dosed to apply alcohol on the surface of the skin of a sore finger while performing massage.
3. At the end of the therapeutic procedure, put on a warm sock.

Rubbing a numb toe can be done 1 to 2 times a day. The duration of treatment depends on the dynamics of tissue sensitivity restoration.

Exercise

This popular method requires simple physical exercise to improve local circulation in numb tissues.

The training process is as follows:

1. Sit on a chair or the edge of the bed.
2. Raise your legs up.
3. Perform quick squeezing and unclenching of the fingers of the lower extremities.

This exercise is performed only for one or two legs at once. To achieve a positive result, it is enough to do 20 repetitions daily in 3-4 sets.

Herbs

On the basis of medicinal herbs of the following types, it is possible to prepare baths for a numb finger, which have an anti-inflammatory effect, enhance local blood circulation, have antirheumatic properties:

• chamomile;
• sage;
• calendula;
• echinacea;
• St. John's wort;
• mint.

Before using the above herbs to restore sensitivity to your toes, you should consult with your doctor. This symptom can be caused by a serious illness of the body, the therapy of which requires the use of potent drugs.

Operations for numbness of the big toes

Surgical intervention for numbness of the big toes is carried out only as a last resort, when the use of medication therapy has not brought a positive effect.

The operation is indicated in the presence of the following pathologies:

• frostbite;
• gangrene against the background of vascular atherosclerosis;
• infection of tissues with a bacterial infection;
• angiopathy caused by diabetes mellitus.

Surgery on a numb big toe involves partial removal of tissues that show signs of necrosis. In the case of gangrene, frostbite or severe stage of diabetic angiopathy with total destruction of capillaries, a decision is made to amputate the entire finger.

Numbness of the big toe on the right is an unpleasant symptom that can be caused by a physiological reaction of the body to external stimuli, or it is a sign of a dangerous disease. Loss of sensitivity in this part of the lower limb occurs after prolonged wearing tight shoes, compression of large blood vessels and peripheral nerves located in leg tissues.

Pathological causes of numbness of the fingers are diseases in the form of diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, thrombophlebitis, chronic osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, oncological processes in the body. To restore the sensitivity of the lower limb, drugs with angioprotective, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial properties are used.

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