Tingling in the legs - Causes and Symptoms

Definition

Tingling in the legs is a very frequent symptom, which recognizes various causes.

Sometimes, this manifestation simply depends on having maintained incorrect postures for a long time (for example, when you take a certain position during sleep or when you sit with your legs crossed).

In other cases, however, the tingling in the legs can signal the presence of an underlying more severe pathological condition, especially when they are constantly felt or associated with pain, numbness, lack of sensitivity, a burning sensation and other symptoms.

The sense of soreness, numbness or tingling in the lower limbs is found in peripheral arterial disease, a condition that develops when the arteries that supply blood to the internal organs, arms and legs become partially or completely obstructed. This circulatory disorder can be caused by an accumulation of fatty substances (atherosclerotic plaques) in the blood vessels of the lower limbs, vasculitis and complications of diabetes. In addition to tingling, peripheral arterial disease can involve other typical signs, such as cold extremities and leg cramps during walking.

Leg tingling may be an early symptom of peripheral neuropathy; it is a dysfunction of one or more nerves that involves vasomotor alterations, sensitivity deficits of varying degrees, weakness and muscular atrophy, pain and decreased osteotendinous reflexes.

The soreness in the lower limbs due to peripheral neuropathies can signal a long series of pathological conditions, including lead intoxication, rheumatoid arthritis, renal failure, alcohol dependence, hormonal imbalances, sarcoidosis, amyloidosis or infections (eg Lyme disease, diphtheria and leprosy). Furthermore, this clinical picture may be secondary to trauma, excessive exposure to cold, compression of a nerve and neoplastic processes.

At other times, tingling may depend on restless leg syndrome (frequent during pregnancy), disc hernia or inflammation of the sciatic nerve.

This manifestation can also occur in the context of multiple sclerosis, transverse myelitis, stroke, arterial embolism, iron deficiency anemia, vitamin deficiencies (especially in group B) and herpetic infections.

The tingling in the legs can also represent the side effect of radio- and chemotherapeutic treatments.