Why would a small patch of my leg be numb?

July 29, 2024 8:32 AM

YANMD but what is this odd sensation in my leg? It exists both on the skin level and also down into the muscle.

There is a small roughly 6-in area on my outer thigh that on the skin surface level feels a bit numb and tingly when I touch it. When I press into it, it feels sore but not painful. I have no trouble walking or moving and I don't really notice it unless I am touching it. I then noticed that in certain yoga poses where I am stretching the leg, that exact area gets an intense burning pain sensation that goes away when I stop that specific pose and leg stretching. It's been about a year since I first noticed it. I'm doing more yoga now so I have noticed it more.

I'm in good health, get regular blood work every three months for something unrelated and do not have this feeling anywhere else in my body. I walk three miles a day several times a week with no problems or issues in that leg. I did not have an injury or medical procedure on that leg. It just one day started feeling odd and like I said I don't really notice it except for the yoga poses and now of course because I can't stop touching it and wondering how one small patch of skin can be numb and tingly and it surely is related to the burning sensation when I stretch what the internet tells me is the illotibial tract.

I can accept that it's just one of those quirks of my body, but I'm concerned that maybe I should be seeing a doctor about it.

posted by archimago to Health & Fitness (7 answers total)

It is likely a nerve pinch, especially if it gets worse with certain body positions. They can be caused by many things, not all of which are particularly concerning. If it's not getting markedly worse over a short period of time I wouldn't make a special doctor appointment for it. Do, however, mention it to your primary care physician the next time you see them for whatever reason.

Meantime, don't do the pose that makes it hurt more, because that's probably pinching the nerve more, and you don't want to do that just as a general rule.
posted by seanmpuckett at 8:44 AM on July 29 [4 favorites]

Best answer: If you google ‘nerve pain outer thigh’ you’ll get a lot of hits for meralgia paresthetica which is a very common condition. Not a doctor but that might give you something to discuss with yours.
posted by koahiatamadl at 8:45 AM on July 29 [3 favorites]

A relative developed this in her early forties after abdominal surgery. I have it as well (no surgery) at the same age and we have both mentioned this to our doctors. They agree it is common and not concerning, but that is after a physical exam. This is worth mentioning at a regular appointment, but I don't think it is worth a special appointment.
posted by soelo at 9:06 AM on July 29 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Your description of the symptoms sounds like some type of peripheral neuropathy. You don't say exactly where on your thigh, but my first thought was meralgia paresthetica. If it is that, it's often caused by a tight waistband or a heavy belt. Rarely, it can be caused by things happening inside the abdomen due to the course of that nerve.

If indeed that is the issue, it's not an emergency condition. But if it's making you uncomfortable often enough or badly enough, you should make an appointment with your general practitioner doctor. (The workup shouldn't be difficult or invasive.) Even if you don't make an appointment now, definitely bring it up at your next appointment if it persists.
posted by cyclopticgaze at 9:19 AM on July 29 [2 favorites]

I have something similar on my elbow, because of surgery I had about a year and a half ago. Apparently nerves are very sensitive to being disturbed.
Surgeon told me it might go away eventually, or it might be permanent. I hardly notice it any more.
posted by bashos_frog at 11:37 AM on July 29 [1 favorite]

I don't want to be that person but when I was a teenager my friend had a numb spot on his leg and it turned out to be caused by a spine tumor that killed him a few years later.

Talk to your doctor and advocate for yourself. I hope it is nothing serious at all but want to give you this anecdote too just in case. It is not data.
posted by dazedandconfused at 3:08 PM on July 29 [1 favorite]

Yes, this sounds like meralgia paresthetica. I have had it for over 3 years. You might need a neurologist consult to confirm the diagnosis. I have been lucky that pregabalin has helped enormously with the pain (nerve triggers as you noted in certain yoga poses). The area still hurts when pressed on but you get used to that.

And here is another mefite recently asking about similar symptoms.

And don't get too hung up on the MS angle there. Most people with meralgia paraesthetica don't have MS! But both are neurological and MS can stimulate similar neuropathies.
posted by mephisjo at 5:13 PM on July 29 [1 favorite]