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numb foot

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by southjerseycraig, Aug 4, 2022.

  1. southjerseycraig

    southjerseycraig Active Member

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    I hope this doesn't seem too odd a question.

    I bought my 2010 Prius new. Recently I've found that my right foot goes numb if I drive for more than about half an hour and I can't feel the pedals. feel some pressure at the bottom of my right thigh,and the numbness starts soon after that. Could the seat cushion (as well as my age!) be causing this problem? If it is, then is there any particular way I should adjust the seat to eliminate the problem? It is really awful to have to curtail my driving. Thanks for any light you can shed on this.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i would see a doctor, maybe you need an orthopedic evaluation.

    are you in eco mode? that requires more pedal movement to achieve acceleration and speed

    can you use cruise control more? i find on long drives, i get some right leg pain. no amount of fiddling with seat cushions and whatnot helps much
     
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  3. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    I usually get these symptoms from too many hours of sitting in a day... There's ways you can add cushions to alleviate this issue. But most important, taking care of your body with daily exercise as best you can w/guidance from your doctor is essential to dealing with foot numbness so it doesn't get worse.
     
  4. southjerseycraig

    southjerseycraig Active Member

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    Thanks! I have been to an orthopedist who is sending me to another doctor and eventually maybe someone will figure it out.

    I never use eco mode. I never use cruise control because this is New Jersey and so frequent changes in speed are needed. Maybe I'll try cruise control.

    Thanks again!
     
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  5. southjerseycraig

    southjerseycraig Active Member

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    Thanks for your advice. You're certainly right that I need to take care of my body better. I wish there were something I could do to the seat to lessen the problem, but maybe there isn't.
     
  6. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Just keep changing things up... The more different things you try, the more likely you'll find a really comfortable configuration. And stay away from sitting for too long: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/the-dangers-of-sitting
     
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  7. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Adjust the seat down as low as is comfortable. I put the seat down to the lowest setting for the same reason, except the seat cushion pressure on my thigh causes pain, not numbness.

    Pump the seat lever downward, you'll find that in addition to lowering the seat, it will also tilt the seat forward a bit, which also helps to reduce pressure on the front of your thighs.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  8. southjerseycraig

    southjerseycraig Active Member

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    Hi! I'm still having this issue. The orthopedist sent me to a vein doctor, who said "your veins aren't the problem" and sent me back to the orthopedist, who said "your spine isn't the problem" and now I'm supposed to see a neurologist, although the orthopedist doubts that will do any good. I am in physical therapy to stretch my hamstrings with the idea that maybe that will help. I am fortunate that I don't have to drive long distances often and that my wife likes to drive. But the problem is a PITA. I hope none of you experience it.
     
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah my first thought too; it "Eco" mode requires an inordinate amount of leg movement, get's uncomfortable fast in my experience.
     
  10. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    I've had such problems in the past, linked to lower back problems. A PT referral lead to cushions that changed seat angle.

    And also to stretches and exercises to strengthen the body core and lower back. Things that I don't do consistently enough until symptoms reappear. Now I have a new referral due to a very new symptom, but very likely linked to the past back problems. The current episode did not start with a car, but with an 11 hour return flight leg from the South Pacific. Though it is very likely that everything is all connected -- too much sitting, not enough body core exercise, less-than-ideal seats, and age (xrays were showing arthritis developing in vertebrae more than a decade ago).

    Unfortunately, the soonest PT appointment in the nearest handful of facilities is two weeks away. I did get wait-listed for sooner slots that become available, but those openings are first-come-first-serve, and the several that have opened up were grabbed by others before I saw the email notices.
     
  11. southjerseycraig

    southjerseycraig Active Member

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    Thanks! I am in physical therapy. They're trying to stretch my hamstrings. It hasn't done much so far, but maybe it will. The orthopedist says I do not have any structural issue. I'm due to see a neurologist this week; we'll see what he says.
     
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  12. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    My PT appointment finally came up Thursday, after a string of wait-list openings that were all too far away. After weeks of daily afternoon and evening agony, I had finally made a tiny bit of progress since Monday, thanks in part to spouse making me add some of her yoga routines to my old PT exercises. But the therapist did identify something, added new exercises to cover what the old ones didn't, and the two days since have made very significant progress.

    I'm not yet ready to sit in any car for an hour or try to ski with spouse and friends, but the dread of even thinking about those is now gone.