Numbness
	Weakness
	Radiculopathy
	Sciatica

Numbness is a manifestation of abnormal nervous system activity. Numbness is felt when nerve impulses are not traveling properly from the skin to the brain.

A patient with back problems may also experience numbness in other parts of the body, especially the legs and feet. This always indicates some kind of nerve damage in the peripheral nervous system or the central nervous system (i.e., the spine or the brain) and deserves prompt and serious attention.

Illustration of the spinal nerve roots and the levels at which they exit from the spinal canal.

Numbness can occur in the skin and the linings of body orifices, such as the mouth or the vagina.

Common spinal causes of numbness include the following:

• Radiculopathy - A pinched nerve caused by a herniated disc
• Stenosis - A narrowing of the spinal canal, which can compress sensory nerve fibers causing loss of sensation
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Stroke

Common cerebral causes of numbness include the following:

• Stroke
• Seizures
• Congenital abnormalities
• Concussion
• Other generalized conditions, such as psychological upsets

Unless Noted Otherwise, All Articles and Graphics Copyright © 2010, Medtronic Sofamor Danek, All Rights Reserved.
Please review our Privacy Policy, Editorial Policy, Terms Of Use, Credits or Contact Us for more information. RSS Feed

We comply with the
HONcode standard for
trustworthy health
information: verify here.