Pins and needles in lowers leg, foot numbness

[BlondieD]

Hi,

I have been running for a few years now completing approx 10k 4-5 times per week on a treadmill. Recently I have been experiencing a slight pain in my lower leg just above the ankle which leads to my foot going numb. It starts in the ball of my foot then it feels as though my foot is swelling and my trainer is becoming tight. When I slow down to a walk it goes away. Strangley it only seems to happen if I run in the evenings not in the mornings!

I am due a new pair of trainers but if it were my trainers surely it would happen on morning runs as well? does anyone else have this problem and could you advise on what it could be, doctors are dismissive and put it down to the general strains experienced through running!

Thanks.

[Heidi]

Hi

This could be a number of things really and the only way you will find out is through trial and error really I think.

Go ahead and get your new trainers and make sure you get a new assessment of your running style and foot position incase anything has changed. Use these trainers for a couple of weeks and see if there is any improvement.

Other things to try include lacing them up less tight as if they are too tight this can reduce blood flow and cause nerve impingement which would lead to your symptoms.

I have had a similar thing when running on treadmills and never really got over it, however running on roads was a lot easier.

Do your warm up thoroughly before hand? Stretching the hamstrings, buttocks and calfs inparticular should help. Also try a couple of sports massages.

If none of this helps, I think you should consider a trip to to s sports therapist or someone similar to get an assessment. It could be a more complex biomechanical problem which needs a rehab program to correct.

Good luck!