Nerve and muscle weakness

I have had back pain from time to time for a few weeks now, but nothing serious. I thought i could be starting with arthritis. 25 yrs ago i had an operation for two slipped discs in the lumber region, the surgeon told me i would probably get arthritis in later years ( i am now 57 yrs old ).

One week ago i bent down to put on my shoes, when i stood up i felt a very sharp pain in my back, i sat down immediately, the pain continued and went straight into my leg, the muscles cramping ( the same thing had happened before my operation ).
We were 3 hrs drive away from home staying in our caravan, but i decided i wanted to go home. The journey was terrible i was in acute pain. When i got home i went straight to bed having taken painkillers and a muscle relaxing tablet ( mobic 150gm ). It was well into the next day before the pain subsided at all, my leg felt numb and the muscles jumped when i tried to walk.
I went to the doctors the next day, my leg still very weak and difficult to walk on. While i waited to see my doctor i sat in the waiting room, almost immediately my leg started to jump involuntarily. When my docotr saw me she decided to send me straight to the hospital. In the hospital my leg continued to jump incessantly ( by this time it was several hours of jumping ). I was given an intravenous drip to calm the muscles, three different bottles were used. It worked, i was sent home with an appointment to see the specialist, and to have a MRI scan. Both of these appointments are next week.
For the last week i have been resting in bed, i am in no pain now with the medication, but the muscle jumping and weakness continues. I can walk a little way but then it starts.
My question is am i doing more harm walking on the leg ? my doctor scared me by saying it must be treated or it could cause permanent damage. Is that true ?

Thanks i would be very grateful to hear from you.  

[noneck]

Yes your doctor are right about permanent damage. The fact that you had surgery 25 years ago and that you are just now having problems means your surgery was a success. Did you have a fusion last time? If walking is not hurting right now it's good to keep active, you'll do better after surgery. Be careful and see what the M.R.I. and doctors say, it's hard to say until the M.R.I. is done. Keep us posted after you visits.

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