A 44-year-old member asked:
What could cause the toes in my left foot always go numb ("fall asleep") when i run on my elliptical?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. James Lunsfordanswered
Podiatry 44 years experience
Pathology or shoes: Numbness during or immediately after activity could be either a poor shoe fit or sizing vs nerve pathology, pinch or neuroma...Start with a really good sport store for sizing and shoe recommendations...If proper fit is established then a neuroma, benign nerve tumor may exist.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Jeffrey Kassanswered
Podiatry 29 years experience
Improper: Fitting shoe, would be one. Nerve compression would be another. This could be happening at a local or more proximal level. Try examining the shoes first, try a different pair. If no improvement - see a doctor.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Jeffrey Bassmananswered
Dentistry 46 years experience
See dr.: Actually, there can be a problem with the back (potential herniated disk) that can pinch a nerve and affect the big toe. I know because i had what is called foot drop, which was brought on by a herniated disk in my back- l3-l4. Hopefully not your problem, but consider and get checked. Duration is important! could be your shoes, gait or shape of your foot.
4.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Aug 23, 2016
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