What could be the cause of numbness in the knees?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

I would like to know some further details about your symptoms:

1. What exactly did you notice in your left knee on awakening from sleep:

(a) Was your left leg (movement at hip, knee, ankle, or other toe movements) weak with an inability to move it?

(b) Was it associated with some problem in the left arm or hand or left side of the face or speech?

(c) Was it accompanied by some tingling, burning, or current-like sensation in the left leg?

(d) Were you unable to feel touch or other things on your left leg?

(e) Was there any pain in the left knee?

Please describe these questions in detail.

2. For how long did that symptom last?

3. Was it the first time, or has it happened before?

4. Do you have any other associated medical conditions? If yes, please tell me in detail.

5. Are you on any regular medications? If yes, please tell me details, including their names, doses, and frequency.

6. When did the incident of numbness of the left knee happen?

7. Have you undergone any investigation for your symptoms? If yes, please tell me.

Please revert with answers to the above-mentioned questions for better understanding and further judgement.

Hope this helps.

Thanks and take care.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Your description does not point toward any specific diagnosis or conclusion, and neither seems alarming. Such decreased sensation over only part of the knee without any weakness in leg power may be nonspecific too. It would be better if you could consult a doctor nearby for a physical examination for better understanding.

Hope this helps.

Thanks and take care.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

A pinched nerve in the lower back could also cause pain in the leg and a tingling sensation (which you deny). Also, you do not have any lower back pain. Nerve pinching near the knee at the outer side might lead to decreased sensation over the left side of the lower leg (not limited to the left knee). Some small strokes involving motor areas of the brain might cause weakness in the left leg or arm, though if involving sensory areas (Thalamus) might cause tingling or impaired sensation in the left half of the body (instead of only the left knee).

Your description does not give a direct conclusion of the above reversible causes. However, there can be a varied presentation of symptoms in every patient. It is good that your symptoms improved spontaneously. Some sensory symptoms (positive or negative) can also happen in mood disorders, called somatoform symptoms.

You can observe your symptoms for any recurrence or new symptoms. Or, if you are very apprehensive, you can plan for an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) brain, an MRI LS (lumbar spine), or a nerve conduction study of lower limbs. However, it will be better to consult a physician before heading for investigations. It is not feasible to rule out things by history, and also, your history does not fit completely for a neurological diagnosis.

Hope this helps.

Thanks and take care.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

As per your symptoms, they seem nonspecific. Possibly you are very apprehensive. But no one can rule out MS (multiple sclerosis) or a tumor by history.

Hope this helps.

Thanks and take care.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

The numbness (decreased touch sensation) is not a clinical symptom of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Again transient diminished sensation over the knee, without any other symptoms, does not point toward any specific diagnosis. There is no investigation to rule out ALS, and it is a clinical diagnosis based on its clinical diagnostic criteria.

As you seem apprehensive about something major neurological problem going on inside you, you can plan for some investigations, which may help look or rule out stroke, neuropathy, MS (multiple sclerosis), or tumor. However, clinical examination will also be of great importance.

The following investigations may help.

1. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) brain and MRI LS (lumbar spine) with exclusive spine screening.

2. Nerve conduction study of bilateral lower limbs.

3. Serum vitamin B12.

4. Serum vitamin D3.

5. Thyroid profile.

6. ECG (electrocardiogram).

As you had mentioned that you are on tablet Citalopram 15 mg, I can speculate that it may be your fear or anxiety. If your worry symptoms remain persistent even after getting regular test reports, you can take the help of a psychiatrist.

Hope this helps.

Thanks and take care.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Twitching alone without any other neurological deficit does not fit the clinical criteria of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).

Twitching can happen in many conditions, such as anxiety, benign fasciculation syndrome, cramp fasciculation syndrome, and ALS. In your context, it may be due to anxiety too.

Hope this helps.

Thank you and take care.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

It is good that your knee issue and twitching have not recurred. The symptom of decreased sensation over the stomach does not directly point toward neuropathy. Usually, neuropathy starts in the limbs, and symptoms are not intermittent. As your concern is MS (multiple sclerosis), too, by history, no one can rule out MS. MS lesions can be asymptomatic, also called RIS (radiologically isolated syndrome). Usually, MS onset is at a younger age, but it can happen at your age too. To rule out MS, you can undergo an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) brain and an MRI screening of the whole spine with contrast.

Thank you.