Numbness in my leg from OA?

Hi, I have OA in both my hips. It is in the early stages so the joint isn't in bad shape yet. I have been doing some light walking and swimming to keep myself as healthy as possible. I have been doing it for 3 years. I noticed recently that I am getting tingling in my legs. It is worse in the morning when I wake up.

Could this be from the OA in my hips?

This could as a consequence of osteoarthritis. The sacroiliac joint is where the pelvis meets the spine and people with OA in the sacroiliac often get tingling in their legs. You may be swelling more from the OA or just temporarily for some other reason. If you have not visited your doctor for a while, it may be a smart idea so to so.

I see that MargaretA beat me to the answer. I can speak from personal experience that numbness does happen. I have to take anti inflammatories or I get tingling and weakness in my right leg. My doctor said that the swelling in my joint was pushing on the nerve slightly.

My doctor told me the same thing today. It looks like the disease is getting a little worse. I don't have any pain yet but the tingling was making it hard to sleep. I have been prescribed NSAIDs anyway even though the doctor said they usually only give them for the pain. I am not going to start them yet Since yesterday I had no tingling but I am sure it will be back and I am glad to have something for it.

I am glad you were checked out but something your doctor said is not quite true. They do give NSAIDs when inflammation is causing other problems. It is not only for the pain even though pain is the usual reason.

Try to get some Onega-3 Fish Oil capsules, which will reduce the inflammation and also reduce any pain. It is very good.

I'd agree with Artistry about the fish oil, and also eat an anti-inflammatory diet. Just Google 'anti-inflammatory foods' and include as many as you can in your diet. I have Lupus, and the diet and fish oil have helped my symptoms a lot. Also, I'd say start taking the NSAIDs right now. They take a while to kick in, and the doctor wouldn't have prescribed them unless he thought you needed them.

You are more likely to get these symptoms from back rather than hip OA. The only reason hip OA causes tingling is if the piriformis muscle gets tight (tone of the hip muscles). The sciatic nerve either goes under or through the piriformis muscle to get to the leg. If it is tight it will press on the muscle and this is often aggravated by sitting (eg driving).

You can stretch piriformis by lying on your bed with your legs straight and together.

Bend your knees with your feet still on the bed and then cross your one leg over the other.

Take hold of your lower thigh of the crossed leg and pull over to the side and then up towards your opposite shoulder. This must be done in 2 movements so do not pull straight up towards your opposite shoulder. Hold the position for 10 to 15 seconds.

Then do the other side.

Repeat 5 times each side 3 times a day for 4 days then 2 times a day for 4 days.

If that doesn't sort it you need to find out if you have OA in your spine as well. You would do better doing an exercise to try a sort the problem rather than masking the problem with drugs.

I hope that helps a bit!

Sophie, thanks very much for the descriptive exercise information. I bookmarked this, so that if I happen to need it in the future I will have it. Thanks Sandra for the backup comment. Cheers.