{"id":24683,"date":"2025-07-17T12:21:20","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T11:21:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/?page_id=24683"},"modified":"2025-07-24T12:21:59","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T11:21:59","slug":"burning-legs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/guidelines\/neurology\/burning-legs\/","title":{"rendered":"Burning Legs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Burning-legs-2025-final.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Information<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sensory symptoms are one of the commonest issues for which we provide advice to primary care. This advice sheet is to support GPs and patients when faced with burning and tingling in the feet\/extremities, to supplement existing advice about idiopathic axonal neuropathy, restless legs syndrome, and benign sensory symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sensory disturbance does not mean \u2018peripheral neuropathy\u2019<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Burning
NHS Lothian<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Disturbed sensation of extremities (e.g. tingling, numbness, crawling, pain, burning, etc), most commonly of the feet but sometimes spreading more proximally and\/or involving the hands, is a common reason for referral to neurology. It is often more noticeable at night, disturbing sleep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These symptoms are often referred to by non-neurologists as \u201cperipheral neuropathy\u201d, but this is a specific diagnosis and only accounts for some of the people affected. We encourage doctors not to use the term \u201cPeripheral neuropathy\u201d unless confirmed as the cause.  Peripheral neuropathy is almost never the likely cause when symptoms are intermittent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Idiopathic\u2019 is the commonest cause<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In our experience, \u201cno identifiable cause (idiopathic)\u201d is the most common cause. Sensory symptoms, especially burning\/pain, are commonly worse at night or on walking. Causes, in order of frequency, include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n