Why Does My Heel Feel Numb and How Do I Treat It?

Overview

There are many reasons your heel might feel numb. Most causes are common in both adults and children — for example, sitting with legs crossed for long periods or wearing shoes that are too tight. Some causes are more serious, such as diabetes.

If sensation in your foot has diminished, you may not feel light touch on the numb heel. You might also fail to detect temperature changes or have difficulty maintaining balance while walking. Other signs of a numb heel include:

• pins-and-needles feeling
• tingling
• weakness

Depending on the underlying cause, numbness may be accompanied by pain, a burning sensation, or swelling. If you experience severe symptoms along with numbness, seek medical attention immediately, as the combination could signal a stroke.

Numb heel causes

Most often, a numb heel results from restricted blood flow or nerve injury — known as peripheral neuropathy. Potential causes include:

Diabetes

About 50 percent of older adults with diabetes develop diabetic neuropathy, which involves nerve damage in the hands or feet. Loss of feeling in the feet typically appears gradually. If you have diabetes, regularly inspect your feet for signs like tingling or numbness and consult your physician if you notice changes.

Alcoholism

Chronic alcohol use is a frequent cause of alcoholic neuropathy, which can produce foot numbness. Nutritional deficits and vitamin shortages associated with alcoholism may also play a role in developing neuropathy.

Underactive thyroid

Also called hypothyroidism. When the thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormone, fluid can accumulate over time and put pressure on nerves, producing numbness.

Pinched nerve in lower back

A nerve in the lower back that carries signals between the brain and leg can malfunction when compressed, resulting in numbness in the leg and foot.

Herniated disk

If the outer layer of a spinal disk (a slipped disk) ruptures or separates, it can press on a nearby nerve, causing numbness in the leg or foot.

Sciatica

Compression or injury to a spinal nerve root in the lower back can produce numbness in the leg and foot.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome

The tarsal tunnel is a narrow corridor running along the sole of the foot from the ankle. The tibial nerve travels through this tunnel and can become compressed due to injury or swelling. A common symptom of tarsal tunnel syndrome is numbness in the heel or foot.

Vitamin B-12 deficiency

Low vitamin B-12 is frequent, particularly among older adults. Numbness and tingling in the feet are common signs. Deficiencies of vitamins B-1, B-6, and E can also cause peripheral neuropathy and foot numbness.

Mineral deficiencies

Imbalanced levels of minerals like magnesium, potassium, zinc, and copper may lead to peripheral neuropathy, including numbness in the feet.

Compressed or trapped nerve

Specific nerves in the legs and feet can be compressed following injury. Repetitive strain can also constrict a nerve if surrounding muscles and tissues become inflamed. If an injury is to blame, you might notice swelling or bruising in the foot.

Ill-fitting shoes

Shoes that are too tight can produce paresthesia (a pins-and-needles feeling) or temporary numbness.

Gastric bypass surgery

An estimated 50 percent of people who undergo gastric bypass develop vitamin and mineral shortages that may lead to peripheral neuropathy and numbness in the feet.

Infections

Certain viral and bacterial infections — including Lyme disease, HIV, hepatitis C, and shingles — can cause peripheral neuropathy and foot numbness.

Various diseases

Conditions such as kidney disease, liver disease, and autoimmune disorders like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can be associated with neuropathy.

Poisons and chemotherapy

Exposure to heavy metals and some chemotherapy drugs can induce peripheral neuropathy.

Blood flow constriction

If the heel and foot don’t receive adequate oxygen and nutrients because of reduced blood flow, numbness can result. Blood flow may be impeded by:

• atherosclerosis
• frostbite from extreme cold
• peripheral artery disease (narrowed blood vessels)
• deep vein thrombosis (blood clot)
• Raynaud’s phenomenon (a condition affecting blood vessels)

Numb heel during pregnancy

Nerve compression related to the body’s changes in pregnancy can cause peripheral neuropathy. Neuropathy is common during pregnancy.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome can produce heel numbness in pregnant women, as it does in others. Symptoms typically resolve after childbirth. Most pregnancy-related neuropathies are reversible.

Some nerve injuries may occur during labor, particularly prolonged labor when a regional anesthetic (epidural) is used, though this is rare. A 2015 study found that of 2,615 women who received epidurals during delivery, only one reported numb heels afterward.

Numb heel diagnosis

Your physician will inspect your feet and ask about your medical history. They’ll inquire about diabetes, alcohol use, and other risk factors. The doctor will also ask detailed questions about the numbness, such as:

• when the numbness began
• whether it affects one foot or both
• whether it’s constant or comes and goes
• if there are other accompanying symptoms
• if anything eases the numbness

Your doctor may request tests, which might include:

• MRI to evaluate the spine
• X-ray to look for fractures
• electromyography (EMG) to assess electrical responses in the feet
• nerve conduction studies
• blood tests to measure blood sugar and check for disease markers

Numb heel treatment

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. If numbness results from injury, illness, or a nutritional deficiency, your clinician will develop a plan to address that root problem.

Physical therapy may be recommended to help you adapt to walking and standing with numb heels and to improve balance. Exercises to boost circulation in the feet may also be suggested.

If severe pain accompanies heel numbness, your doctor might advise over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil), or prescribe stronger pain medicines.

Other therapies you might consider for pain relief include:

• acupuncture
• massage
• meditation

When to seek a doctor

See a doctor promptly if heel numbness follows an injury or if you have severe symptoms along with numbness, as this could indicate a stroke.

If you are being treated for diabetes, alcohol dependence, or another risk factor, contact your healthcare provider as soon as you notice heel numbness.