What Kind of Doctor Treats Nerve Pain in the Legs?
Wondering what kind of doctor treats nerve pain in legs? The answer depends on where the problem starts. Leg nerve pain can come from a pinched nerve in the back, damaged nerves in the feet, or even poor blood flow that feels like nerve pain. This guide helps you match your symptoms to the right specialist.
Quick Answer: Who Treats Leg Nerve Pain?
- Start with primary care if you are not sure of the cause.
- Pain from the back down one leg: a pain management or spine doctor.
- Burning or numb feet in both legs: often a neurologist, plus your primary care doctor.
- Calf pain with walking that eases with rest, or cold feet: a vascular doctor.
- Bladder or bowel changes, or a cold, pale leg: call 911.
What Kind of Doctor Treats Nerve Pain in Legs? Start Here
Use this table as a rough guide. Your doctor may send you to more than one specialist. For a broad look at causes of leg pain, see leg pain.
| If your symptoms are… | It may be… | Good doctor to start with |
|---|---|---|
| Pain from the low back or buttock down one leg, often below the knee | Sciatica or a pinched nerve root | Pain management or spine doctor, or primary care |
| Leg pain or heaviness with walking or standing that eases when you sit or lean forward | Spinal stenosis | Pain management or spine doctor |
| Burning, tingling or numbness in both feet that slowly creeps up | Peripheral neuropathy | Primary care, then a neurologist |
| Calf cramping with walking that goes away when you stand still; cold foot or slow-healing sores | Peripheral artery disease (poor blood flow) | Primary care or a vascular doctor |
| Numb feet with diabetes, sores or calluses | Diabetic nerve damage and foot problems | Primary care, endocrinologist and podiatrist |
| Foot drop: the foot drags or slaps the floor | Nerve root or peroneal nerve problem | See a doctor the same day |
Specialists Who Treat Leg Nerve Pain
Here is what kind of doctor treats nerve pain in legs, and what each one does.
Primary Care Doctor
Your first stop in most cases. They review your history, do an exam, order basic blood tests and refer you on. They also help manage health problems that affect nerves, such as diabetes.
Pain Management (Interventional Spine) Doctor
Focuses on pain that starts in the spine, such as sciatica and radiculopathy. They do a nerve exam, review imaging and build a plan. Plans often start with physical therapy and medicines. When pain from a pinched nerve root does not settle, options include an epidural steroid injection, such as a transforaminal epidural, or a selective nerve root block. The FDA has not approved steroids for epidural use, so this is an off-label use, and risks and benefits should be talked through first. For some people with a disc pressing on a nerve, a minimally invasive procedure such as endoscopic discectomy may be discussed.
Neurologist
Specializes in the brain, spinal cord and nerves. A neurologist is often the main doctor for peripheral neuropathy, especially when the cause is unclear, symptoms are uneven, weakness comes on fast, or nerve tests are needed [Source] [Source].
Physiatrist (PM&R Doctor)
A physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor. Physiatrists focus on function, exercise and rehab, and many also do nerve testing (EMG) and spine care.
Spine Surgeon
An orthopedic or neurosurgeon. Most people with leg nerve pain do not need surgery. A surgeon is consulted when a pinched nerve causes weakness that is getting worse, or when pain does not improve with other care.
Vascular Doctor
Treats blood vessel problems. Poor blood flow in the legs (peripheral artery disease) can cause leg pain with walking, a cold foot, pale or blue skin, and sores that heal slowly [Source].
Podiatrist
A foot doctor. Podiatrists treat foot problems and help with foot care, which matters when feet are numb from diabetes. They are often part of a diabetes care team [Source].
Endocrinologist
Treats diabetes and hormone problems. Diabetes is the leading cause of peripheral neuropathy in the US [Source], so good blood sugar control is a key part of care.
Nerve Pain That Starts in the Back
A disc or narrowed space in the lower spine can press on a nerve root. This often causes pain from the back or buttock down one leg, sometimes with numbness or tingling. See nerve pain and numbness and tingling in legs. Thigh pain and weakness may point to the femoral nerve. Care usually starts with activity, exercise and physical therapy [Source].
Nerve Pain in the Feet
Burning, tingling or numbness that starts in both feet and slowly moves up is a common pattern of peripheral neuropathy [Source]. Diabetes is a common cause, but there are many others. See why feet burn at night and feet numb when walking.
Is It Nerve Pain or Poor Circulation?
Nerve pain often burns, shoots or tingles and may change with position. Pain from poor blood flow usually comes with walking and eases quickly when you rest, without needing to sit or bend [Source]. Learn more about circulation vs nerve pain.
Dr. Amit Sharma & our minimally invasive pain & spine team.
Tests That Help Find the Cause
- Exam: strength, reflexes, feeling and pulses in your feet.
- Blood tests: such as blood sugar and vitamin B12 [Source].
- Nerve tests: EMG and nerve conduction studies show how well nerves and muscles work [Source]. These tests are not done in our office. When needed, we refer you for testing.
- MRI: of the lower back when a pinched nerve is likely.
- Ankle-brachial index (ABI): compares blood pressure at the ankle and arm to check blood flow [Source].
Warning Signs
Call 911 or go to the emergency room now for numbness in the groin, buttocks or inner thighs; new trouble peeing, or loss of bladder or bowel control; or weakness in both legs. These can be signs of cauda equina syndrome [Source]. Also call 911 for a leg that suddenly turns cold, pale, numb and painful [Source], or for sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, trouble speaking or a drooping face [Source].
See a doctor the same day for a foot that suddenly drags, or leg weakness that keeps getting worse.
How SpinePain Solutions Evaluates Leg Nerve Pain
At SpinePain Solutions, Dr. Amit Sharma, Chief, Division of Pain Medicine at Good Samaritan University Hospital, evaluates and treats nerve pain in the legs, including neuropathy, at our Bay Shore, Commack and Farmingdale offices (see office locations). The visit focuses on whether the pain starts in the spine. If another cause seems more likely, you will be told what kind of doctor treats nerve pain in legs like yours. For selected patients whose pain persists after other care, options can include spinal cord stimulation and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation, typically after a trial. Call 631-310-0000.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of doctor should I see first for nerve pain in my legs?
Most people can start with their primary care doctor. They can do an exam, order basic tests and send you to the right specialist. If the pain clearly starts in your back and runs down one leg, a spine or pain management doctor is also a good place to start.
When is leg nerve pain an emergency?
Call 911 for numbness in the groin or inner thighs, new trouble peeing, or loss of bladder or bowel control, which can be signs of cauda equina syndrome. Also call 911 for a leg that suddenly turns cold, pale and painful, or for sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body.
Does a neurologist treat nerve pain in the legs?
Yes. A neurologist is often the main doctor for nerve damage in the feet and legs (peripheral neuropathy), especially when the cause is unclear. They may order nerve tests and blood work.
Can a pain management doctor help with leg nerve pain?
Yes, especially when the pain comes from a pinched nerve in the lower back, such as sciatica. A pain management doctor looks for the cause and may suggest physical therapy, medicines, an epidural steroid injection or a nerve root block when they fit. SpinePain Solutions also treats neuropathy-related leg nerve pain. For selected patients whose pain persists after other care, spinal cord stimulation or DRG stimulation may be offered, typically after a trial.
Should I see a podiatrist for numb feet?
A podiatrist (foot doctor) is a good choice for foot care, sores and calluses, especially if you have diabetes. Numbness that spreads up the legs also needs a medical workup to find the cause.
How do I know if leg pain is from nerves or blood flow?
Nerve pain often burns, tingles or shoots and may come with numbness. Poor blood flow often causes calf cramping with walking that goes away when you stand still and rest. A doctor can check your pulses and order a simple blood pressure test at the ankle.
What tests check for nerve pain in the legs?
Common tests include a physical exam, blood tests such as blood sugar and vitamin B12, nerve tests (EMG and nerve conduction studies), and sometimes an MRI of the lower back. EMG and nerve conduction studies are not done in our office. When needed, we refer you for testing.
Do I need a referral to see a specialist?
Some offices ask for a referral from your primary care doctor and some do not. Check with the office before you book.
Dr. Amit Sharma & our minimally invasive pain & spine team.
Medical References
- Callaghan BC, Price RS, Feldman EL. Distal symmetric polyneuropathy: a review. JAMA. 2015;314(20):2172-2181. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.13611. PubMed.
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Peripheral neuropathy. NINDS.
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Peripheral artery disease: symptoms. NHLBI.
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Peripheral artery disease: diagnosis. NHLBI.
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Diabetes and foot problems. NIDDK.
- MedlinePlus. Arterial embolism. MedlinePlus.
- MedlinePlus. Stroke. MedlinePlus.
- George SZ, Fritz JM, Silfies SP, et al. Interventions for the management of acute and chronic low back pain: revision 2021. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2021;51(11):CPG1-CPG60. doi:10.2519/jospt.2021.0304. PubMed.
- Dionne N, Adefolarin A, Kunzelman D, et al. What is the diagnostic accuracy of red flags related to cauda equina syndrome (CES), when compared to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)? A systematic review. Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2019;42:125-133. doi:10.1016/j.msksp.2019.05.004. PubMed.
Related resources: what doctor to see for back or neck pain, pinched nerve root, spinal stenosis treatment, claudication, interventional spine specialist on Long Island.
