Anyone with bad muscle weakness and parasthesias in legs from lumbar herniations?

[missy142]

Hi,
I have DDD, cervical and lumbar stenoisis, 2 cervical herniations C5/C6 & C6/C7 and an L5/S1 lumbar herniation.  The cervical herniations are under control for the moment with epidural injections.  I have had severe muscle weakness with the lumbar herniation along with burning in my left foot, groin area and left anterior thigh.  My ortho scheduled me for fusion surgery as he stated I seemed to be developing the beginning of cauda equina syndrome and I could not stand for more than 5 minutes because of the increasing muscle weakness.  The muscle weakness has in the course of about 2 weeks has improved, but certainly not relented completely, the burning and numbness in the areas mentioned is also a little less, but far from gone. I canceled the surgery for the time being but I am still dealing with these problems.  The herniation is causing stenosis and making it difficult to stand or walk for any length of time.
My question is if anyone else out there has been experiencing this and am I doing permanent damage to my nerves by not relieving the compression.  I go to my chiro 2x/week, some days are better than others.  I am definitely better than I was, but I seemed to hit a plateau.  If it were just pain I would not be as concerned but the muscle weakness and parasthesias have me freaked out.  Any input would be appreciated. thanks

missy142

[missy142]

Thanks for both of your comments regarding my condition.  I am making an appt with another ortho for a second opinion.  If I do end up having surgery I think I would like to try something less severe than fusion surgery.  My ortho always seems so ready to cut you know.  He wanted to do my neck and that is doing nicely after the 2 epidurals.  The reason I was hesitating about the surgery is my chiro has a cervical herniation with severe cord compression and at one time could not even pick up a hammer the muscle weakness was so bad.  He was scheduled for surgery with the surgeon he is sending me to for the 2nd opinion. Within  a couple of weeks or so the the severe muscle weakness in his arm  relented and he now has full use of his arm again.  He was doing cervical traction, tens etc.  He canceled his surgery. He still has some pain on and off but is doing ok for the time being.  I thought with chiro tx this might also be what would happen with me.

best wishes to all.

[kittyluv1]

Your condition is definitely precarious and the fact that you are experiencing such distinct neurological symptoms does point to having surgery sooner rather than later.
Based on your MRI findings of disc herniations and stenosis accompanied by the myelopathy, I think hesitating in scheduling surgery is taking a risk that you might have permanent damage that will not be repaired even with surgical intervention.
The longer the nerves are compromised the more difficult it is for them to return to normal or optimum levels of function.
I would discuss this with your surgeon at great length.  Muscle weakness can only progress and new and more advanced neurologic changes could have you end up in a wheelchair.  I believe another member (kat1923) has also encouraged you to reconsider as she has recently experienced similar symptoms and has had a successful outcome from her surgery.
Keep us posted on what you decide ----