What causes numbness in the legs and feet after sitting for a while?

Generally, leg numbness after sitting for a short period may be caused by anemia, poor blood circulation, lumbar disc herniation, deep vein thrombosis, sciatic nerve disorders, or other conditions. Patients are advised to seek symptomatic treatment under medical guidance. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Anemia

If a patient has anemia, reduced blood supply to the leg nerves may occur, impairing normal leg function and leading to numbness in the legs and feet after sitting for a while. Under a doctor's supervision, patients may take medications such as ferrous sulfate tablets, iron dextran tablets, or compound trivitamin iron oral solution for treatment.

2. Poor Blood Circulation

When sitting, blood vessels in the lower limbs may become compressed, affecting blood flow and resulting in ischemia and hypoxia in the legs, which can cause numbness. It is recommended that patients improve their sitting posture and avoid prolonged sitting or maintaining the same position for extended periods.

3. Lumbar Disc Herniation

In cases of lumbar disc herniation, the nerves in the lower limbs may be compressed. This compression may persist or worsen during sitting, leading to numbness. Patients are often treated with acupuncture or lumbar traction therapy.

4. Deep Vein Thrombosis

Blood clots blocking the vessels can impair circulation in the lower limbs. Sitting may exacerbate this circulatory impairment, causing numbness in the legs and feet. Treatment may include anticoagulant medications such as heparin sodium injection or rivaroxaban tablets, as prescribed by a physician.

5. Sciatic Nerve Disorder

Sciatic nerve disorder, also known as sciatica, occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed due to lumbar spine conditions or piriformis syndrome. Patients may find relief through physical therapies such as acupuncture, massage, manipulation, and heat application.

In addition, leg numbness may also be associated with conditions such as avascular necrosis of the femoral head or hip joint disorders. Patients experiencing bodily discomfort should promptly visit a hospital for evaluation to avoid delays in diagnosis and treatment that could affect overall health.