Feet get tingly and go numb while running long distance,?

Question

I love running and have become very frustrated as my feet tingle and go completely numb at about mile 4. I have been told to make sure my shoes aren't to tight or too lose which I do. I also have good running shoes not too small or too big. Anyone know what's going on? I really want to run a half marathon soon and can't run in that condition.

Thanks!

Answer 1

It's definately a problem with your soles. Buy some orthopedic, soft soles and fit them into your shoe. Make sure your shoes aren't too tight as well. The more you run, the more your feet get conditioned to get past mile 4, and eventually you'll be able to run without the soles. Good luck!

Answer 2

As you exercise, your muscles increase in size by up to 20%. If the fascia that surrounds each muscle group and its nerves and blood vessels cannot expand enough to accommodate this enlargement and start to compress the nerve and blood vessels (CECS). As exercise continues, the pain, numbness and loss of muscle control (causing the foot to slap the ground) become so severe that exercise must stop. As the swelling subsides so do the symptoms; your leg examination would be normal in your doctor’s office. To diagnose this problem, the pressure in the muscle compartments of the leg are measured prior to and following exercise. Elevated pressures are diagnostic of CECS; surgery is the treatment for this problem.

The popliteal artery is a large blood vessel that runs behind the knee. Occasionally the artery may be compressed (typically by the gastrocnemius) during exercise, compromising blood flow to the muscles. Symptoms resolve with cessation of exercise. Diagnosis involves evaluation of the artery during muscle contraction, such as a magnetic resonance arteriogram. Surgery is the treatment for this problem.

It is also possible that there is nerve irritation in the back or buttocks causing these symptoms.

You should see a sports medicine specialist to determine the cause of these symptoms and appropriate treatment.