Question
About a week ago, I woke up at night with nearly complete numbness on the outside of my right foot, from the ankle to about just above the little toe, which seems to be the area innervated by the sural nerve.  While I've had minor lower back issues before, my back has been fine of late. The day of the injury, I was on a business trip and had to rapidly walk several miles with not new, but uncomfortable dress shoes that I have to lace quite tightly.  The injury is not getting worse, and the numbness may slowly be receding, though if it is, it's very slow and hard to tell.  My primary doc checked me out for no weakness, and I have no symptoms other than this numbness.  He says I should wait a few weeks before doing more.  Somebody else suggested getting an EMG right away.  Will waiting too long risk permanent damage, and how long can it take to improve from this "idiopathic" nerve damage?

Answer
This Chicago, South Loop & Elmhurst Podiatrist of AnklenfootCenters.com says.......

Dear Rich,
When you said you were on a business trip-I assume you were in a seated position during the trip.
That is probably when you compressed the nerve to your foot and caused the numbness. It could be from the lower back or just pressing the side of your leg with your other leg or weight during your travel.
Try low back stretches also and anti-inflammatories such as Advil or Alleve for short term. As long as it seems to improve slowly-there is not much to do except let mother nature take its course. If the foot numbness persists for more than 7-10 without any improvement-it may be worth your while to make sure nothing else is pressing on the nerve to the foot.
Hope This Helps!
The podiatrists of AnkleNFootCenters.com are specialists in foot numbness.
We are located in Chicago & Elmhurst.

Good Luck!

Dr George Tsatsos & Svetlana Zats
Podiatrist Chicago 60618 & Elmhurst 60126 Podiatrists
Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661
AnkleNFoot.com
Runnersdoc.com
BabyFootDoc.com

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