Car accident, left leg weak, current MRI no disc buldge.

Hi,

My name is Paul and I was in a car accident a little over a year ago. I started out having noticeable lower back pain and walked like a hunched back right after the car accident. I often have muscle spasms, not as frequent as when the injury took place.  When my back pain lowered I noticed during PT that my left leg got weak and my leg shook. They came to the conclusion that it was nerve related and per doctors/PT stopped PT. I go to the chiropractor weekly and feel great after. I wish I could do it daily.  My muscle looks strong with definition. I was an avid skier 40+ days a year. This year I got in 4 hrs and could not do it.  My first MRI said I had L4/5 disc bulging. I complained to my doctor of a weak left leg. He sent me in for 2nd MRI, this time no disc bulging, but still have leg weakness. I can go up a flight a stairs and my left leg is so weak my knee buckles.  Long distance walking my leg cramps and weak, almost like a stiff leg and it makes it hard to walk.  Just the other day I was bent over for a bit and then both my legs were weak and it was hard to walk and my lower back pain slightly increased.  I've been to a Nero and they say my nerves look fine.  Prior to the accident I was completely normal, no pain, strong, very coordinated and active. Now I feel useless weak and tired from my back/leg and not knowing what’s up.  Anyone have similar issues or suggestions to let my doctor know about so we can get this resolved. It's starting to get old and everyone around me see's me physically fine, (don't believe me) and that's starting to be a drain too. HELP!...

[Londres70]

Yeah, they are probably thinking he is 27, looks fine, nothing's wrong.  

How far apart were the MRIs?  It definitely sounds like a disc problem.  You have seen your family physician and a Neurologist?  Still going to the chiropractor?

[plmskier]

1st MRI was like in aug of 09, 2nd was in dec of 09.  I don't know if I was positioned wrong on the 2nd MRI, idk but the symptoms fit.  I go to my family physician reguarly and just met up with my neurologist  a few weeks back. He said nerves were fine. I asked him if I could show him something. He let me walk up and down the stairs outside the office, came back to him no more than 5 min's later and my left leg was buckeling and shaking, hard to stand/walk.  He saw it and could not believe it after 5 min's it looked like my leg could not support the weight of my body. I told him I was getting annoyed with it and happy a doctor saw it in action. He did the nerve test again and still came out normal.  Suggested a brain MRI but my doctor does not think it is needed. Waiting to hear back.  I go to the chrio once a week and feel great. Then towards the end of the week I feel like crap and go back again, repete...  So my normal doctor is researching this for me and will get back to me.  I figured I'd outsource and help too as I'm tired of all this.  My chrioprator suggested a stand up or sit down MRI. Not sure?  

[Londres70]

An MRI of the brain?  I don't get that one.  If the Neurologist thought that was necessary, then he/she should have ordered it.  However, you do need another MRI; repeat the lumbar in my opinion.  I am convinced it is a disk(s) problem.  I am not sure about the stand up/sit down MRIs; not familar with those.  You can talk to your physician about that if he/she does decide to repeat the MRI.  Well, see what this family physician has to say; hopefully something that is going to help you like NOW.  

Keep us posted.

[squirtatious]

Yes a stand up mri is the most accurate of them all. Won't see the full extent of the problem on a lay down one. And what IS shown on a "lay down mri" is usually worse than what is actually depicted. I havnt found a place that does those kinds of mri's altho I know they exist. Best of luck to ya