Peripheral neuropathy caused by an exercise bike resembles the sensation you feel when you sleep on your arm to long or sit on your foot too long. However, peripheral neuropathy may never go away, says Dr. Michael Hall, a family physician for DuBois Regional Medical Center. Prevention works better than treatment for neuropathy from an exercise bike.
Desciption
Neuropathy from an exercise bike is entrapment neuropathy, says Aaron Inch, a physical therapist at Rehab 1 Network in St. Louis. This condition results when an external force compresses a single nerve against a bone or when external pressure compresses a nerve between two bony structures. Inch explains that nerve compression "results in the nerve's inability to carry a normal signal and receive blood flow necessary for survival." Short-term compression typically results in numbness and slight pain. Long-term compression can result in permanent nerve damage.
Identification
Neuropathy produces different symptoms depending on the types of nerves affected. Common symptoms of neuropathy from an exercise bike include increasing numbness and tingling in your hands or feet, which may spread up into an arm or leg; burning sensations; jabbing, sharp or electric shock-like pains; lack of coordination of your hands or legs; muscle weakness or paralysis of the genital area or extremities; and bowel or bladder problems. "You should see your doctor if the numbness or decrease in sensation does not resolve within a short amount of time after getting off the bike," says Dr. John Martinez, the team physician at Primary Care Sports Medicine in San Diego, California.
Types
Neuropathy from an exercise bike generally affects your hands, forearms, genital region and legs. Compression of the pudendal nerve affects the sensation and control of your penis, scrotum, clitoris, labia, urinary sphincter and anal sphincter, says Dr. Peter J. Osterbauer, a neurologist in private practice in Anchorage, Alaska. Sciatic nerve compression can lead to neuropathy symptoms of the leg and foot. Entrapment of the median nerve causes neuropathy symptoms of the thumb, pointer finger, middle finger and ring finger. Ulnar nerve entrapment causes neuropathy symptoms of the pinky and the outside of the hand.
Effects
Neuropathy allows you to look well while feeling awful. You may feel ongoing fatigue and frustration when trying to deal with the inability to stay in one position for any length of time. Eventually this fatigue and frustration may develop into depression, says Dr. Chip Stone, a clinical and forensic psychiatrist in Orange County, California. Neuropathy may cause you to experience impaired self-esteem, self-doubt, agitation and family or work conflicts. Pudendal nerve compression may cause incontinence and sexual dysfunction.
Prevention/Solution
Proper position on an exercise bike and frequent shifting of your weight may help prevent and treat neuropathy from the bike. Martinez says, "Your weight should be evenly distributed on the three contact points -- the seat, handlebars and pedals." If you do not know how to fit or adjust an exercise bike to fit your build, ask for help. Correct adjustments will allow you to sit up straight without having to lean too far forward to reach the handlebars and allow you to maintain a slight bend in the knee when the pedal is at its lowest position.
References
- Dr. Michael Hall; DuBois Regional Medical Center; DuBois, Pennsylvania
- Aaron Inch, BSES, MPT; Rehab 1 Network; St. Louis, Missouri.
- Dr. John Martinez; Primary Care Sports Medicine; San Diego, California.
- Dr. Peter J. Osterbauer; Private Practice; Anchorage, Alaska
- Dr. Chip Stone; Private Practice; Orange County, California
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