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What Causes Burning Sensation And Tingling Feeling In The Legs?
Question: I am experiencing mild burning sensations and tingling sensations, sometimes in one leg and sometimes in both legs. I torqued a rib on the left lower back side of my rib cage on the top of the chair's back I was sitting in; this occurred in late October 2016 and that is when the symptoms began. These symptoms are episodic and usually go away during the day. They are worse during sleep and can be painful at times.
Brief Answer:
Peripheral neuropathy probable
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
While you say the symptoms to be related to the trauma to the rib I do not think there is a direct relationship, must be a coincidence, anatomically speaking there is no relationship between the two regions, the rib trauma has no effect on the peripheral nerves or even the spinal cord.
Such burning and tingling sensations are typical for peripheral neuropathy, damage to the peripheral nerve. In order to confirm that a neurological exam to check for other symptoms such as lowered reflexes along with nerve conduction study test would be the first diagnostic step.
If that is confirmed to be the case then the cause of the neuropathy should be searched, causes can be many such as diabetes, alcohol, nutritional deficiencies, liver and kidney disease, electrolyte alterations, thyroid dysfunction, compression of the nerves, toxin exposure etc etc. For that reason subsequent tests to search for those causes would be required.
In the meanwhile to alleviate the symptoms especially the pain medication such as Gabapentine or Pregabalin is usually preferred (apart from finding and addressing the cause that is).
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Peripheral neuropathy probable
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
While you say the symptoms to be related to the trauma to the rib I do not think there is a direct relationship, must be a coincidence, anatomically speaking there is no relationship between the two regions, the rib trauma has no effect on the peripheral nerves or even the spinal cord.
Such burning and tingling sensations are typical for peripheral neuropathy, damage to the peripheral nerve. In order to confirm that a neurological exam to check for other symptoms such as lowered reflexes along with nerve conduction study test would be the first diagnostic step.
If that is confirmed to be the case then the cause of the neuropathy should be searched, causes can be many such as diabetes, alcohol, nutritional deficiencies, liver and kidney disease, electrolyte alterations, thyroid dysfunction, compression of the nerves, toxin exposure etc etc. For that reason subsequent tests to search for those causes would be required.
In the meanwhile to alleviate the symptoms especially the pain medication such as Gabapentine or Pregabalin is usually preferred (apart from finding and addressing the cause that is).
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. Taka,
Thank you for your comments and analysis. I have another question for you: "Why is the condition episodic?" That is, sometimes the condition is completely mitigated and doesn't bother me at all, while at other times it becomes aggravated, accompanied by pain in one knee or the other.
Regards, XXXXXXX XXXX
Thank you for your comments and analysis. I have another question for you: "Why is the condition episodic?" That is, sometimes the condition is completely mitigated and doesn't bother me at all, while at other times it becomes aggravated, accompanied by pain in one knee or the other.
Regards, XXXXXXX XXXX
Brief Answer:
Depends on the cause
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
The answer to your question is a little difficult since there is not a diagnosis regarding the cause (or a confirmation by tests of neuropathy for that matter).
If there are metabolic reasons like diabetes there are fluctuations depending on glucose levels, if electrolyte alterations according to electrolites, if due to kidney disease according to uremia, if for hormonal causes fluctuates with hormonal alterations, if due to rheumatological conditions depends on inflammation degree and so on and so on. One has to make the diagnosis before determining alterations in time.
Let me know if I can further assist you
Depends on the cause
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
The answer to your question is a little difficult since there is not a diagnosis regarding the cause (or a confirmation by tests of neuropathy for that matter).
If there are metabolic reasons like diabetes there are fluctuations depending on glucose levels, if electrolyte alterations according to electrolites, if due to kidney disease according to uremia, if for hormonal causes fluctuates with hormonal alterations, if due to rheumatological conditions depends on inflammation degree and so on and so on. One has to make the diagnosis before determining alterations in time.
Let me know if I can further assist you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr Taka,
Thank you. One final question (I hope) and that is: "Why is one symptom (or manifestation) also the hardening of the calf muscles in both legs, especially at night before I go to bed?" This sometimes occurs during the day as well.
Many thanks for a quick response, XXXXXXX XXXX
Thank you. One final question (I hope) and that is: "Why is one symptom (or manifestation) also the hardening of the calf muscles in both legs, especially at night before I go to bed?" This sometimes occurs during the day as well.
Many thanks for a quick response, XXXXXXX XXXX
Brief Answer:
Hormonal or electrolyte alterations to be thought of.
Detailed Answer:
Such stiffness or cramps of the muscles may be related to electrolyte alterations, in particular calcium, potassium or magnesium. Hormonal dysfunction involving the thyroid or parathyroid hormones may be a cause of that. Some routine blood tests would evidence those.
The fact that it occurs before going to bed would raise also the possibility of restless legs syndrome, which may contain among its manifestations tingling sensations, spasms and cramps. However main feature is an irresistible urge to move the legs, particularly in the evening, relieved by moving, so if that is not the case it's unlikely.
I hope to have been of help
Hormonal or electrolyte alterations to be thought of.
Detailed Answer:
Such stiffness or cramps of the muscles may be related to electrolyte alterations, in particular calcium, potassium or magnesium. Hormonal dysfunction involving the thyroid or parathyroid hormones may be a cause of that. Some routine blood tests would evidence those.
The fact that it occurs before going to bed would raise also the possibility of restless legs syndrome, which may contain among its manifestations tingling sensations, spasms and cramps. However main feature is an irresistible urge to move the legs, particularly in the evening, relieved by moving, so if that is not the case it's unlikely.
I hope to have been of help
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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