Medical Oncologist
Nerve side effects
Balance and falls with numb feet
Balance depends on feeling the ground. When chemotherapy damages the nerves in the feet, small slips and uneven surfaces catch people out, and tiredness, dizziness and night-time bathroom trips add to the risk. Falls matter more during treatment, but most are preventable with lighting, footwear, a clear floor and balance exercises.
NG
Medically reviewed by Dr. Naresh GunduConsultant Medical Oncologist · MBBS, DNB (Internal Medicine), DM (Medical Oncology, AIIMS) · last reviewed September 2026, next review due September 2027
17+specialists on panel
15,000+patients treated
35+centres across Telangana & AP
4.8★ / 800+Google rating
The short answer
Why do numb feet make falls more likely during chemotherapy?
Because balance depends on feeling the ground. When chemotherapy damages the nerves in the feet, the brain gets less information about where the feet are and what the surface is like, so small slips and uneven ground catch people out. Add tiredness, dizziness from a low haemoglobin or medicines, weaker leg muscles and night-time trips to the bathroom, and falls become a real risk, particularly for older patients.
Falls matter more during treatment. Low platelets mean more bruising and bleeding, bones may be weaker, and a fracture or head injury can delay treatment and take away independence. The good news is that most falls are preventable with straightforward changes at home, sensible footwear, and exercises that improve balance.
Night is the riskiest time
Dark rooms remove the eyesight that numb feet rely on to stay balanced. A night light on the route to the bathroom prevents many falls.
Footwear makes a big difference
Closed, well-fitting shoes with firm, non-slip soles give far better stability than loose chappals, slippers or bare feet.
Balance can be trained
Supported balance and strength exercises help the body compensate for reduced feeling. A physiotherapist can show you how.
Tell your team about any fall, even if you were not hurt. It helps them judge your risk and your treatment.What raises the risk
The things that combine to cause falls
- Numb feet
- Reduced sense of the ground and of foot position, making it harder to adjust to uneven surfaces, steps and slippery floors.
- Dark rooms and poor eyesight
- People with numb feet rely more on vision for balance. Darkness, glare or poorly corrected eyesight remove that support.
- Dizziness
- A low haemoglobin, dehydration, some anti-sickness and pain medicines, and low blood pressure on standing can all cause light-headedness.
- Weak leg muscles
- Tiredness and time spent resting during treatment reduce strength, making it harder to recover from a stumble.
- Hazards at home
- Loose mats, wet bathroom floors, clutter, cables, steps without rails and poorly lit stairs are common causes of falls.
- Rushing
- Hurrying to the bathroom, the door or the phone, especially at night or when urgency comes with treatment side effects, leads to many falls.
Not sure whether this applies to you?
Ask an oncologistPractical
Making the home and daily routine safer
Small changes prevent most falls.
Light the way
A night light from bed to bathroom, a light switch or torch within reach of the bed, and good lighting on stairs and in corridors.
Also
- Wear your glasses when walking
- Turn lights on before getting up
Clear the floor
Remove or tape down loose mats, move cables and clutter out of walkways, and keep the bathroom floor dry with a non-slip mat.
Add support where it matters
Grab rails beside the toilet and in the bathing area, a rail on stairs, and a stable chair for dressing. A shower stool helps if standing to bathe is tiring.
Consider
- A raised toilet seat
- A bedside commode at night if needed
Wear stable footwear
Closed, well-fitting shoes or sandals with backs and non-slip soles, indoors and outdoors. Avoid loose slippers, backless chappals, socks on smooth floors and bare feet.
Get up slowly
Sit on the edge of the bed for a moment, move your ankles, then stand holding something steady. Pause before walking, especially at night or after medicines.
!
After a fall, get medical help the same day, or immediately, for any of these
A head injury, especially with vomiting, confusion, drowsiness or a severe headache · any fall while platelets are low or on blood thinners · pain in the hip, back, wrist or a limb that prevents movement or bearing weight · bleeding that will not stop, or large bruises appearing · fainting before the fall, chest pain or palpitations · new weakness of an arm, leg or the face. Go to the nearest emergency department and say clearly that the person is on chemotherapy.
Being straight with you
What this page cannot tell you
It cannot assess your personal fall risk. That depends on how numb your feet are, your balance, eyesight, blood counts, bone health, medicines and home. A physiotherapist or occupational therapist can assess this properly and suggest specific changes.
It also cannot tell you whether a particular fall has caused a serious injury. During treatment, falls with head injury or low platelets need medical assessment even if the person seems fine at first.
Medicines can add to the risk
Some pain medicines, sleeping tablets, anti-sickness medicines and blood pressure tablets cause dizziness or drowsiness. Ask your team to review your list if you feel unsteady.
Report numbness that affects walking
If numb feet are making you unsteady, your oncologist needs to know. It may affect decisions about the dose of the drug causing it.
Family can help without taking over
Walking beside the patient on stairs or outside, fixing hazards at home, and keeping the night light on are practical help that preserves independence.
Fear of falling can lead to less movement
Some people stop walking to avoid falls, which weakens muscles and makes falls more likely. Safe exercise and home changes are better than staying still.
Plan night-time bathroom trips
Keep the path from bed to bathroom completely clear, leave a night light on, and keep shoes or non-slip footwear beside the bed. If trips are frequent or you feel very unsteady, ask about a bedside commode for the nights after treatment.
What to do next
Put a night light between bed and bathroom tonight. Clear loose mats and clutter, add grab rails where needed, wear stable closed shoes, and get up slowly. Tell your team about any fall or unsteadiness, and ask for a physiotherapy referral for balance training.
Leave a number, we will call you
One field. No form to fill in, and no charge for the call.
Commonly believed
Four ideas about falls and numb feet
"If I stay in bed, I cannot fall."
Long rest weakens the legs and worsens balance, so falls become more likely when you do get up. Safe movement and home changes are better protection.
"Slippers are safest at home."
Loose slippers and backless chappals slip and catch. Closed, well-fitting shoes with non-slip soles give far more stability on numb feet.
"I did not get hurt, so there is no need to mention the fall."
Your team needs to know about any fall. It signals a risk that can be reduced, and may affect decisions about treatment.
"A night light is not necessary if I know the way."
Numb feet depend on eyesight for balance. In the dark that support disappears, which is why so many falls happen on the way to the bathroom at night.
Questions we are asked
Common questions about balance and falls
Why am I unsteady on my feet?
Numb feet give the brain less information about the ground. Tiredness, weak muscles, dizziness from a low haemoglobin or medicines, and poor lighting add to it. Tell your team so the causes can be addressed.
What is the single most useful change at home?
A night light on the route from bed to bathroom, together with clearing loose mats from that path. Many falls happen on night-time bathroom trips.
What shoes should I wear?
Closed, well-fitting shoes or sandals with backs and firm, non-slip soles, indoors and out. Avoid loose slippers, backless chappals, socks on smooth floors and bare feet.
Can exercise improve my balance?
Yes. Supported balance and leg strength exercises help the body compensate for numb feet. A physiotherapist can teach a safe programme to do at home.
I fell but feel fine. Should I see a doctor?
Tell your team the same day. If you hit your head, your platelets are low, you take blood thinners, or you have pain or new bruising, get assessed promptly.
Can my medicines make me dizzy?
Some pain, sleep, anti-sickness and blood pressure medicines can. Ask your team to review your medicines if you feel unsteady or light-headed.
Should I use a walking stick?
A stick or walker can help, but it needs to be the right type and height and used correctly. Ask a physiotherapist to assess you before buying one.
Can I still use stairs?
Usually, with care. Keep stairs well lit and clear, always hold the rail, take one step at a time, and have someone nearby if you feel unsteady.
Meet the Specialists
17+ senior cancer specialists. One panel for your case.
Trained at AIIMS, Tata Memorial, and leading international centres. Combined 150+ years of experience. Every complex case is reviewed by 3+ of them — together.
Medical Oncologist
Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy
MBBS(Gold Medal), DNB(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Gold Medal)
Medical Oncologist
Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla
MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)
Medical Oncologist
Dr. Owais Mohammed
MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)
Medical Oncologist
Medical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty
MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery) (AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh)
Surgical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Vinay Mamidala
MBBS, MS(General Surgery), M.Ch(Surgical Oncology), FMAS, FARIS(Ongoing)
Surgical Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Hematologist
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar
MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology), FALS Oncology
Surgical Oncologist
Want a specific doctor for your case? Mention them when booking.
Book Free ConsultationBook an appointment with our specialist
Share your name and number — we'll call you back within 30 minutes to schedule your consultation.
Patient stories
Hear it from people we have treated
Every story is a video, in the patient's own words. Nothing here is a written testimonial.
Sources
- National Cancer Institute — Chemotherapy and You: Support for People With Cancer
- American Cancer Society — Physical Activity and the Person with Cancer
- Cancer Research UK — Side effects of chemotherapy
This page is general information, not a prescription. Do not change or stop any treatment based on what you read here. If anything is worrying you, contact your own treating team — or call our helpline and we will help you reach the right specialist.
Talk to us
Feeling unsteady during treatment?
Tell us what has been found so far and we will help you reach the right specialist. One helpline serves every CION centre.